The Head of the Implementation Team from Jenderal Achmad Yani University Yogyakarta (Unjaya), Suwarno, S.Kep., Ns., MNS, along with the Advisory Team from Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD), Prof. Ir. Anton Yudhana, ST, MT, Ph.D., handed over a device in the form of a Solar Dome Dryer to the activity partner, Ngargosari Village, and the target partners, the Rukun Farmers Group and the Ngargosari Village PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment) Team in Samigaluh, Kulon Progo, DIY.

The IoT-based Solar Dome Dryer, funded by the 2023 Kosabangsa Social Collaboration Grant from the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (DRTPM Kemendikbudristek), was inaugurated by the Samigaluh Sub-District Head, Suryantoro, on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the installation site of the Solar Dome Dryer in Trayu Hamlet, Ngargosari Village, Samigaluh, Kulon Progo.

The inauguration of the Solar Dome Dryer was marked by the unveiling of the signboard cover, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of the Solar Dome Dryer door, performed by the Samigaluh Sub-District Head, Suryantoro, the Ngargosari Village Head, the UAD Advisory Team Leader, and the Unjaya Implementation Team Leader. The event was witnessed by representatives from the Kulon Progo Regency DPRD, the Samigaluh Agricultural Extension Office, Samigaluh I Community Health Center, Samigaluh Police Station, Samigaluh Military Command, Ngargosari Village Babinsa, Ngargosari Babinkamtibmas, Ngargosari Village Secretary and staff, the Director of CV Progress Jogja, the Ngargosari Farmers’ Group Leader, the Rukun Farmers Group leader and members, the Ngargosari PKK Team leader and members, the Prima Village Group leader and members, the Trayu Hamlet Head, and the Kosabangsa Unjaya-UAD advisory and implementation teams.

Three units of the IoT-based Solar Dome Dryer, each measuring 3x6 meters, were handed over, enabling the farmers’ group to boost productivity by producing agricultural products such as dried moringa, dried temulawak (wild ginger), moringa flour, and temulawak flour. These can be utilized by the PKK team to create functional processed food products, such as moringa and temulawak noodles, to improve appetite, enhance nutrition, and prevent stunting, according to Suwarno.

The Solar Dome Dryer is an innovative technology that can be used by farmers’ groups and PKK teams as a drying tool to reduce water content, thereby improving quality, shelf life, and durability of produce. The drying method utilizes solar energy, minimizing losses compared to traditional sun-drying systems. With the Solar Dome Dryer, the farmers’ group and PKK team are expected to maintain, care for, and utilize this innovative technology to support activities and productivity in Ngargosari Village.

In his opening remarks before the inauguration, the Samigaluh Sub-District Head, Suryantoro, expressed gratitude to Jenderal Achmad Yani University Yogyakarta (Unjaya), Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD), and Kosabangsa DRTPM Kemendikbudristek for their contributions to the Social Collaboration for Community Development program through community service, fulfilling the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. This initiative has greatly benefited the Samigaluh community, particularly the Ngargosari Village farmers’ group and PKK team, through the Kosabangsa Grant activity titled “Stunting Prevention in Ngargosari Village by Providing Functional Food Based on Smart Drying Innovation with Remote Monitoring.” The Solar Dome Dryer, a versatile solar-powered drying tool, allows agricultural and plantation commodities to be dried more quickly, efficiently, hygienically, and independently of weather conditions, free from dust, compared to direct sun-drying. Ngargosari has abundant plantation potential, including cloves, cocoa, coffee, moringa, and empon-empon (medicinal plants). Currently, the community is actively developing moringa and temulawak, which, once dried and powdered, are used as ingredients for noodle production. This Solar Dome Dryer is expected to enhance the economy of the Trayu Hamlet community.

Following this, the UAD Advisory Team Leader, Prof. Ir. Anton Yudhana, ST, MT, Ph.D., stated that the collaboration with Ngargosari Village and Unjaya has been very successful, ensuring the continuity of UAD, Unjaya, and Ngargosari’s joint efforts each year, including the 2023 Kosabangsa Grant. The IoT-based Solar Dome Dryer, developed and installed by the advisory and implementation teams, is not limited to 2023 but can be sustained in subsequent years to dry other agricultural products, benefiting the Ngargosari Farmers’ Group and PKK Team.