"Enhancing Fertilization Effectiveness Through Fertilizer Spreader": Surabaya Students Introduce Fertilizer Spreader for Lemongrass Farmers

The community service activities carried out by students of the 17 August 1945 University in Surabaya in Bendungan Jati Village, Mojokerto Regency, represent a very positive step in supporting the agricultural sector, particularly in the development of lemongrass cultivation. With the increase in lemongrass production in this area, the introduction of the Lemongrass Fertilizer Spreader has become highly relevant and beneficial for farmers. This aligns with data from the Mojokerto Regency Agriculture Office, which indicates that lemongrass production in this area has increased by approximately 15% in recent years.

The use of this tool not only enhances efficiency in the fertilization process but also reduces the workload of farmers who have traditionally had to fertilize manually. Manual fertilization often consumes significant time and energy, which can disrupt farmers' productivity in managing their land. With the Lemongrass Fertilizer Spreader, farmers can fertilize more quickly and effectively. Additionally, this tool is very affordable for farmers, both in terms of its economical price and the ease of its production process. This has become a key factor that makes the tool accessible to all farmers in Bendungan Jati Village.

The interdisciplinary collaboration among students from the Bachelor’s programs in Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Computer Science in community service subgroup 4, along with the farmers' group in Bendungan Jati Village, has resulted in practical and easily implementable solutions. The students not only brought theoretical knowledge but also made efforts to understand the needs and challenges faced by farmers in the field. With a needs-based approach, they successfully introduced a tool that is not only innovative but also relevant to existing conditions.

Support from the Field Supervisor, Daffa Dwi Sri Diyanti, S.Psi., M.Psi., has also been crucial in ensuring that this tool can be accepted and effectively used by the community. Ms. Daffa provided the necessary guidance and direction to ensure that the produced tool truly meets the farmers' needs. The hopes expressed by the farmers' group members indicate a desire to adapt to new technologies to enhance productivity and the quality of agricultural outputs. This reflects a strong spirit of collaboration between students and the community, which is expected to continue in the future.

The success of this activity is anticipated to not only impact agricultural output but also improve the overall welfare of the community. With the presence of an efficient and effective tool, farmers in Bendungan Jati Village can focus more on land management and the development of their agricultural enterprises, which in turn can contribute to local economic growth. Increased agricultural productivity will not only provide financial benefits for farmers but also enhance food security in the region.

Furthermore, this activity also provides an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they have gained in their studies to real-world practice. This experience is invaluable, as students can directly observe the impact of their introduced ideas on the community's life. They learn about the importance of collaboration, communication, and problem-solving in real-world contexts. This experience is expected to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to face future challenges, both in their professional careers and in their contributions to society.

Initiatives like this are crucial to continue developing and disseminating to other areas facing similar challenges in the agricultural sector. Thus, the community service conducted by these students not only provides direct benefits but can also serve as a model for similar initiatives in the future. Through this activity, it is hoped that more efforts will emerge to assist farmers in improving their productivity and work efficiency.

Moving forward, it is important for all parties, including the government, academics, and the community, to continue collaborating in creating solutions that can help address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Support from the government in the form of policies that promote innovation and the development of agricultural technology is also essential. Additionally, training and education for farmers on the use of new technologies should continue to ensure they can maximize the benefits of available tools and technologies.

With all these efforts, it is hoped that the agricultural sector in Mojokerto Regency, particularly in Bendungan Jati Village, can continue to develop and make significant contributions to the regional economy. Increased agricultural productivity is the ultimate goal.