Excursion to Poteran Island 20 – 22 June 2014
By Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Busse
On 20 June, early morning the Student Research and Development Team (SRDT) Poteran set off for their island expedition. 7 Students from the ITS Departments of Biology, Urban Planning and Ocean Transportation and 2 students from Wismar University, Germany formed the interdisciplinary team. They have been accompanied by 2 scientists of ITS and 1 Scientist of Wismar University.
“To explore the conditions for the development of sustainable Agribusiness on Poteran Island” was set as the general mission. A particular focus has been laid on the conditions for value-added products from Moringa Oleifera, Seaweed, Palm Sugar Blossom and from Corn.
The expedition has been well prepared by Dr. Endry Prasetyo (ITS Biotechnology). It has been intended to get as close as possible in communication with the island inhabitants, in order to directly learn and experience their living and working conditions. The team hence established their “Base Camp” as guests in a villager’s house. From here, several excursions have been undertaken, lots of kilometres by walking.
The student team quickly established an effective team work. In the opening meeting on the first day, 12 important tasks around the “Moringa Business” have been identified, ranging from the traditional utilization of the Moringa tree, the conditions for cultivation and processing, up to the related infrastructural, technological and marketing aspects. These tasks have been assign to the team members – according to everybody’s special knowledge background.
During the 3 days, all villages at Poteran Island have been inspected. From all places, valuable information on the social, economic, and infrastructural situation has been collected. The team met each evening to review the day, to structure the information and data, and to plan for the next day.
Some excellent results have been achieved by the SRDT during the expedition;
(1) An enormous stock of cultivated and naturally growing Moringa Oleifera, but also other valuable herbals have been registered all over the island, confirming the excellent natural growing conditions.
(2) A suitable location for a Moringa Test Plantation has been detected; the farmer being already practicing forms of ecologic agriculture, e.g. by utilizing organic fertilizer from local production.
(3) An effective cooperation with the local Wiraraja University in Sumenep has been established. Students of this university will act as the local partners of the Student Research and Development Team. This will be very helpful for the growing and operation of test plantations and prototype processing units on Poteran Island.
(4) In a working session with the Regional Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) support opportunities for the Poteran projects have been identified. The Regional Administration will support activities which are directly improving the social situation of the island inhabitants, ranging from education and training up to the establishment of production & sales cooperatives for valuable agro- and aquacultural products.
(5) The expedition also undertook a visit to the neighbouring Gili Ilyang Island, where further opportunities for Palm Sugar Blossom Products have been located.
(6) Besides their teamwork explorations, the students also conducted their individual field research. Numerous regional departments have been interviewed. The contacts established in this way will be very helpful for the further SRDT activities on Poteran Island.
