Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Community Service Initiative Introduces Ergonomics-Based Technology in Lonrong Village
BANTAENG – Technology developed by higher education institutions is now being directly applied to address challenges faced by cocoa farmers in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi. Through the Community Service (PkM) program under the Community Partnership Empowerment Scheme for the 2026 fiscal year, a service team introduced an ergonomics-based electric fertilizer pump to the community in Lonrong Village, Eremerasa District, Bantaeng Regency.
The initiative was themed "Utilization of Ergonomics-Based Electric Fertilizer Pumps to Improve Fertilization Efficiency for Cocoa Plants."
This program was implemented through the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) under the Directorate General of Research and Development of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek). The service team was led by Dr. (Cand.) Ir. Nur Ihwan Safutra, S.T., M.T., IPM, ASEAN Eng., with members Ir. Muh. Fachry Hafid, S.T., M.T., Muh. Ilham Angga, S.T., M.T., Ir. Asrul Fole, S.T., M.T., IPM, and two students.
The activity targeted a cocoa farmer group led by M. Hasanuddin and involved a youth group led by Ali Akbar Agus, S.Sos., with approximately 30 participants in attendance. Addressing the farmers' specific challenges, the electric fertilizer pump was developed as an alternative solution to help farmers carry out fertilization more practically and efficiently.
To date, fertilization and spraying activities in the plantations have faced various obstacles, ranging from heavy workloads, application time, and physical exertion to the farmers' body posture while carrying and operating the equipment. The Service Team Leader, Dr. (Cand.) Ir. Nur Ihwan Safutra, S.T., M.T., IPM, ASEAN Eng., stated that innovations developed by higher education institutions must stem from the real needs of the community.
“The technology being developed must stem from the community's actual needs. Therefore, we are not merely introducing a tool; we are also providing an understanding of its operation, ergonomic aspects, fertilization efficiency, and farmer occupational health and safety,” said Nur Ihwan.
M. Hasanuddin, head of the Cocoa Farmers' Group, welcomed the implementation of this technology. Direct farmer involvement is considered crucial to ensuring that the introduced technology truly aligns with orchard conditions and community needs.
“We welcome this technology because farmers can see and try out how to use it firsthand. We hope this tool will make the fertilization process easier and more efficient,” said M. Hasanuddin.
During the activity, the team explained equipment and material preparation, the mixing of fertilizer solutions, operating techniques, ergonomic working postures, and occupational health and safety aspects. Farmers were then given the opportunity to try using the electric fertilizer pump directly in the cocoa fields, with guidance from the community service team.
The involvement of the Cocoa Farmers' Group and youth groups is also part of an effort to foster generational renewal and build a technology-based agricultural ecosystem. It is hoped that this program will not stop at the demonstration stage but will evolve into a process of translating science and technology into practical applications that deliver tangible benefits to the community.
Through collaboration among universities, farmer groups, youth, and stakeholders, this ergonomic electric fertilizer pump innovation is expected to support work efficiency, enhance farmer capacity, and ensure the sustainability of cocoa farming in Bantaeng Regency.