Covid-19 Pandemy does not shrink the Center of Agrotechnology (PIAT) UGM’s passion to become a productive unit. It uses the 11,8 Ha of land for farming, and for the corn-planting. The harvest of this corn is also quite satisfying. Until the mid of 2020, quality corn’s harvest gets 3.331kg.
The success of this harvest attracted the enthusiasm of the UGM’s chief to go down to the harvest land. This could be seen by the presence of the UGM Vice-Rector of Research and Community Service, drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes. Ph.D. on 5 June earlier. Accompanied by Chief of PIAT UGM, Dr. Ir. Taryono, M.Sc, and several members of the field coordinator, the activity went safely with keeping the health protocol which is published by the government.
According to RR. Rahmi Sri Sayekti, S.P M.Sc (Rahmi) as the Field Coordinator, who is responsible for the farm section, corn is not only a strange crop that is planted in PIAT’s field. The cultivation of corn has been done since PIAT was established, but now it is getting more intensified because of the customer’s attraction on this crop.“ she said.
Furthermore, Rahmi stated that the intensified cultivation of this corn at only 1.000 m2 land could give 3 times harvest each year. “We could get 300kg of first quality corn that is ready to sell to the consumer,” adds Rahmi.
The corn that is cultivated is classified as sweet corn (Zea Mays Saccharata Sturt) Bonanza Now F1 with a cultivation time of 70 days. The seeds are taken from PT. East West Seed Indonesia (Ewindo), an integrated seed company that collaborates with UGM for the best seeds’ procurement.
The advantage of PIAT’s cultivated corn is that it is sweeter than the average corn, it contains sugar levels above 12° brix. This has been proven by numerous records about customer satisfaction. The customers are grouped on 3 harvest periods through pre-order corn harvest which was offered on PIAT Shop. These are the testimony of PIAT Shop’s customers.
“The corn is sweet, more stuffed and bigger than the average market corn,” said Hanif (24 years old).
“Thank you so much dear admin, the corn has arrived.. The corn’s sweet, so much different from the average corn. It is also delicious when it is made to bakwan.” said Suci (26 years old).
“Thank you, the corn is so sweet. The taste is so different from the market’s sweet corn. When it will be harvested again?” said Tya (36 years old).
In the future, according to the result of discussion with the head, the cultivation of the corn would be continued. “It would be cultivated periodically for every 10 to 14 days each to keep the availability of the stock. There would also be prepared for the peeled sweet corn so that the leftover harvest could be preserved,” said Rahmi. The closest corn harvest would be done on 7 August 2020 for 300kg and would be sold through the pre-order system like usual. For the reservation call PIAT Shop on 08112637717.