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| Edupark at University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) has converted its ornamental plant greenhouses into melon cultivation facilities. (Photo: Lintang Humas) |
Using smart farming technology, Edupark at University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) has transformed its ornamental plant greenhouses into melon cultivation facilities. On January 25, Edupark held its first open greenhouse event for melon picking. The event was attended by the UMM Rector, the Deputy Chairman of BPH, the Heads of the Malang Regency and City Offices, the Head of the Batu City Office, and the Head of the Central Kalimantan Office. This initiative was driven by the high economic value of melons and strong market demand.
Muhidin, Head of the Laboratory, stated that one of the advantages of smart farming is the ability to control operations remotely through a specially programmed smartphone application. This technology allows for plant care without the need to be physically present at the location. Its implementation is expected to enhance efficiency and improve plant growth productivity.
“The application can automatically water the plants, making it easy to control remotely. In the future, we will only need to manage the nutrients,” he added.
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The melon varieties grown are Intanon and Lavender, using hydroponic and fertigation systems for cultivation. Muhidin explained that another advantage of using a greenhouse is the ease of controlling diseases and pests. The enclosed structure helps protect the melon plants, making them more resistant to pests. As for the cultivation process, it is relatively simple and does not require any special stages.
“Many farmers overlook the importance of applying fertilizer at the beginning of the planting process. In our method, we apply fertilizer not only at the start but also in the middle of the growth cycle. It is crucial to understand that the type of fertilizer used during the flowering stage differs from that used during the fruiting stage. Therefore, let us learn and share knowledge together on this matter,” he explained.
Regarding the harvest period, these melons take approximately three months or around 70 days to mature. With the use of specially formulated fertilizers, the nutrients are expected to meet the plants' needs, optimizing their metabolism and overall growth. On the other hand, the price set for one kilogram of melon is 25 thousand rupiah. Visitors have praised the melons for their sweet, juicy, and crunchy texture, making this variety highly favored by the public.
“Although the greenhouse receives limited sunlight due to being surrounded by buildings, we can overcome this issue by modifying the roofing material to allow maximum light penetration,” he said.
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On the same occasion, UMM Rector Prof. Nazaruddin Malik emphasized that universities must take a more proactive role in addressing and solving real-world social problems. According to him, the smart farming technology implemented in this greenhouse can help meet future needs and challenges in developing high-quality human resources.
"Hopefully, smart farming can continue to be developed and explored to enhance the excellence of our products. This way, we can better understand how to improve the quality of superior products. I also hope that this open greenhouse melon-picking event brings blessings to us all and serves as a testament to our strong commitment to the nation's food security," he concluded. (zaf/wil/mrh)
