The Community Engagement Team from the Soil Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, consisting of Dwi Priyo Ariyanto, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Ir. Jauhari Syamsiyah, M.Si., Komariah, S.TP., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Aktavia Herawati, S.P., M.Sc., has conducted the Community Partnership Program (PKM-UNS), also known as the Community Service Program. This program aims to provide water reserves for farmers in the cultivation block within the Forest Education with Special Purpose Area (KHDTK) of Mount Bromo in Karanganyar or Alas Bromo Karanganyar. The Community Engagement Team coordinated with the management of Alas Bromo, namely the UNS Forest Education and Training Center (UPT PPK) as the responsible entity for Alas Bromo.
The target of this PKM-UNS is the farmers in KTH Wonosewu in Block E or the Randu Growong area, as this area is a priority for developing avocado crops between the pine trees. Additionally, the Community Engagement Team collaborated with Forestry Extension Officers from the Forestry Service Branch (CDK) of Region X in communicating and assisting the farming community. The activities began with socialization in June 2023, followed by field surveys to determine the pipeline installation route in July 2023. After reaching an agreement, excavation and pipeline installation, as well as the construction of a reservoir, commenced on August 7, 2023.
"This program is expected to provide a solution to the water needs of farmers in the Randu Growong cultivation area and serve as an emergency water reserve in the forest area, especially during the dry season," said the Head of the Community Engagement Team, Dwi Priyo Ariyanto. In another statement, the Head of KTH Wonosewu, Mojogedang, Mr. Samidin, expressed that the provision of a reservoir through piped water can be used for avocado plant irrigation, contributing to overall improvement.