UNG Oversees Smart Aquaponic Programme to Support Nutritious Food Security
Gorontalo (ANTARA) - Universitas Negeri Gorontalo (UNG) is overseeing the implementation of the Smart Aquaponic community service programme to promote nutritious food in Ombulo Village, Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province.
Researcher Faramita Hiola, speaking from Gorontalo City on Tuesday, stated that through the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), UNG is monitoring and evaluating the execution of this community service programme.
The activity was conducted to observe the progress of the programme’s implementation and to ensure that the innovations developed by the service team can provide real and sustainable benefits to the community.
The monitored programme is titled “Empowering the People of Ombulo Village through Integrated Smart Aquaponics Based on Green Technology, to Support a Sustainable Free Nutritious Meal Programme”.
Faramita noted that the programme is supported by funding from the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), Directorate General of Research and Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for the 2026 period.
Through this programme, the service team—comprising Faramita Hiola, Yoyanda Bait, and Djuna Lamondo—is introducing the application of Integrated Smart Aquaponics.
This innovation integrates fish farming and plant cultivation into a single system, using a more efficient and environmentally friendly technological approach.
The application of this technology is expected to serve as an alternative way to support the availability of nutritious food sources for the community.
In addition to producing fishery commodities, the aquaponic system also allows the community to conduct integrated plant cultivation, ensuring more effective resource utilisation.
During the monitoring and evaluation (monev) activity, the UNG LPPM team directly inspected the progress of the programme, the achievements of the activities, and the implementation of the green technology-based Integrated Smart Aquaponics developed alongside the people of Ombulo Village.
The evaluation also aimed to assess the extent to which the innovation can benefit the community and the potential for the programme’s sustainability after the service period ends.
The Head of UNG LPPM, Professor Lanto Ningray, stated that community service implementation must be able to address real problems faced by society through the application of research results and innovation.
“Through monitoring and evaluation, we want to ensure that the programme implemented not only proceeds according to plan but also provides benefits that can be felt by the community, particularly in Ombulo Village,” he said.
According to him, community service activities need to be continuously directed towards efforts to solve various problems through the application of science and technology that possess utility and sustainability.
Through the development of Integrated Smart Aquaponics, UNG hopes that the people of Ombulo Village can obtain alternative technologies to support the development of food sources that are more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.
This programme also serves as a manifestation of UNG’s commitment to strengthening the role of universities through research and community service activities oriented towards innovation, empowerment, and problem-solving within society.
With the spirit of presenting an impactful campus, UNG continues to strive to ensure that every innovation born within the academic environment can transcend the laboratory and campus walls.
Furthermore, it is hoped that every innovation will subsequently work alongside the community to provide real benefits for development and the improvement of welfare.