Blora Regent Pursues Organic Farming Pilot Project and University Scholarships

Blora Regent Arief Rohman is spearheading an initiative to transform the region's agricultural landscape by pursuing a pilot project for organic farming and seeking enhanced educational opportunities for local youth. He is actively exploring a collaboration with Universitas Brawijaya (UB) to develop not only organic farming but also forestry practices within Blora Regency.

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Blora has enormous potential for the development of organic farming. We have many cattle farmers, so the organic material to support agriculture is also available.

This partnership extends beyond agricultural development, aiming to establish UB's presence in Blora through research locations and community service program (KKN) sites. Crucially, the regent is advocating for a dedicated scholarship quota for students from Blora, ensuring that local talent has access to higher education at UB.

Rohman highlighted Blora's significant potential for organic agriculture, citing the region's substantial cattle population as a key asset. The abundant supply of manure from these cattle provides a natural and readily available source of organic fertilizer, essential for successful organic farming practices. He believes Blora can serve as a model for organic farming that can be replicated elsewhere.

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With Blora's territory being about 60 percent forest, there are certainly many things that can be studied and developed, both in the agricultural sector, forestry, and community empowerment.

Furthermore, with approximately 60 percent of Blora's territory covered by forests, the regent sees immense potential for scientific research and development in forestry and community empowerment. The university's Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Bio-Industry, represented by Dean Prof. M. Purnomo, has expressed appreciation for Blora's focus on high-value niche products and is open to developing initiatives like greenhouse cultivation and seed production, which could bolster food security and stabilize market prices in Central and East Java.

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In the future, we hope that the production of corn seeds and other high-value products can be developed, including through the concept of a greenhouse.