Menu
Students from the Diploma Three Program in Horticultural Crop Production (PTH) at Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) have successfully harvested watermelons as part of their hands-on learning experience through the Project-Based Learning (PBL) method. This initiative not only serves as practical training in horticultural cultivation but also fosters entrepreneurial skills and independence among students in the agricultural sector.
The watermelon harvest is a culmination of an extensive field learning process designed to equip students with practical experience. During this project, students cultivated two watermelon varieties: a seeded yellow-fleshed oval-shaped watermelon and a seedless red-fleshed watermelon. These varieties resulted from intensive cultivation techniques, including crossbreeding, to produce fruits with superior taste and form.
Indriyanti Azahra, one of the participating students, expressed her enthusiasm for the comprehensive learning experience. “Through this PBL, I truly learned from scratch. Starting from seed crossbreeding to achieve sweet watermelon combinations, seed soaking and incubation, seedling, field planting, plant maintenance, up to harvesting,” she explained.
She also highlighted the importance of technical and managerial understanding in farming. “We didn’t just learn how to plant, but also understood the factors leading to harvest failures. We were trained to think critically and find solutions when facing field challenges. Additionally, we learned how to market our harvests according to consumer needs,” Indriyanti added.
The harvested watermelons are not only part of the students’ learning portfolio but are also economically utilized. The fruits are sold to fellow students, lecturers, and the general public within the campus environment. This real-world practice helps students comprehend the value chain from cultivation to marketing of agricultural products.
Ir. Tri Rini Kusparwanti, M.P., the supervising lecturer, explained that the PBL approach is designed to cultivate direct learning experiences relevant to workforce needs, especially in the agricultural sector. “In this program, students can directly experience the dynamics of horticultural crop cultivation. They face the reality that not all harvests are marketable and learn how to process imperfect yields into economically valuable derivative products,” she stated.
She further hopes that through this method, students will be better prepared when entering the workforce or starting their own businesses. “They are trained to independently plan all business activities, from procuring tools and materials, land management, to production and marketing processes. The goal is for graduates of the PTH program at Polije to become young pioneers in the innovative and competitive horticultural agriculture sector,” she concluded.
Such activities demonstrate Polije’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also adaptive and solution-oriented in the field. Through project-based learning approaches, students are encouraged to understand theory and develop entrepreneurial mindsets, independence, and readiness to face the challenges of modern agriculture. (rda)