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Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) has once again opened its Orange-Picking Agrotourism at the Teaching Factory (Tefa) of the Innovation and Highland Garden. This initiative not only represents the practical utilization of horticultural land by an educational institution but also serves as an alternative form of educational tourism for residents of Jember and surrounding areas.
The Innovation Garden Tefa is part of Polije’s agricultural technology development and implementation program, focusing on various horticultural crops, including perennial plants like oranges and seasonal crops. This agrotourism destination is open to the public and the Polije community, offering a firsthand experience of harvesting and tasting fresh oranges directly from the trees.
Ujang Tri Cahyono, Manager of the Innovation and Highland Garden Tefa at Polije, explained that the current orange harvest season is an ideal moment to open the garden for public agrotourism.
“Our orchard is in the middle of its orange harvest, so we’re inviting the public to come and enjoy the fruit straight from the trees. For just Rp15,000, visitors can pick and eat as many oranges as they like on-site. If they wish to take some home, they can pick them themselves and pay according to the fruit’s weight,” Ujang explained.
He added that this activity is regularly held during every harvest season, in line with the Tefa approach, which combines education, training, and hands-on practice with public engagement.
“We aim to make this orchard a learning space as well as a place for interaction between the academic world and the public. Besides oranges, we also grow various other crops that are harvested in rotation,” he added.
The event has received positive responses from visitors. Aris Wibowo, a local visitor from Jember, expressed his excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to bring his family to the site.
“The experience is amazing. I got to pick and enjoy fresh oranges straight from the tree. My children and grandchildren were also very excited. It’s not just fun—it’s educational too. We don’t have to go far out of town to find a tourism experience like this,” said Aris.
He also highlighted the importance of such activities, especially in today’s digital era when children often spend more time on screens.
“This can be a healthy and educational alternative for family recreation,” he added.
Polije’s Orange-Picking Agrotourism is open daily throughout the harvest season, with peak visits recorded during weekends. Visitors come not only from Jember but also from neighboring cities such as Ngawi, Situbondo, Bondowoso, and Lumajang. This indicates growing public interest in education- and agriculture-based tourism.
Through this initiative, Polije demonstrates its strong commitment to applied education while also actively supporting local tourism and food security. It is hoped that this program will continue to grow and serve as a model of collaboration between vocational education, agricultural innovation, and community empowerment. (rda)