ULM and SMK-PP Banjarbaru Collaborate to Introduce Plant Regeneration Technology
Banjarbaru – The Faculty of Agriculture at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) continues to strengthen the quality of learning in agricultural biotechnology by providing hands-on experience for students. On Wednesday (September 17, 2025), 123 students from the Agroecotechnology Study Program, along with lecturers, conducted a field visit to the tissue culture laboratory at SMK-PP Negeri Banjarbaru, located at the H. Idak Practice Field in Banjarbaru City.
This visit, as part of the Agricultural Biotechnology course, aimed to provide a practical understanding of tissue culture techniques. Students were introduced to the processes and procedures of tissue culture, a crucial technology for supporting agricultural plant regeneration.
“We brought students to SMK-PP Negeri Banjarbaru so they could familiarize themselves with tissue culture techniques, as our laboratory is not yet fully equipped for this practical application. After the visit, students were able to carry out simple practical work in the campus laboratory,” said Rila Rahma Apriani, a lecturer at the ULM Faculty of Agriculture.
The ULM delegation was greeted by the tissue culture team from SMK-PP Negeri Banjarbaru. Students were first instructed on hygiene by using hand sanitizer and donning lab coats, before receiving an explanation and being shown around the school’s tissue culture facilities.
Airin Nurmarita, Vice Principal for Curriculum and the tissue culture teacher at SMK-PP Negeri Banjarbaru, led the introduction of this technology, along with other teachers and laboratory staff.
“We are pleased to share knowledge with ULM students. This is a great opportunity to broaden the younger generation’s horizons about modern agriculture,” said Airin.
Support for such activities also comes from the central government. Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the importance of expanding access to vocational education so that young people are prepared to become key players in the innovative and technology-based agricultural sector.
“We support the strengthening of vocational education, both at the tertiary and secondary levels, because the agricultural sector needs a competent workforce to face global challenges,” she said.
Similarly, the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Agency (BPPSDMP), Idha Widi Arsanti, added that the regeneration of young farmers must be supported by quality education to ensure the national agricultural sector’s continued progress and competitiveness.
The Principal of Banjarbaru State Vocational High School (SMK-PP), Yudi Astoni, welcomed the visit and considered the peer-reviewed study program from universities like ULM to be a platform for mutual learning for the advancement of the agricultural sector.
“We are always open to schools and universities interested in learning here. By sharing knowledge, we can jointly improve the quality of agricultural human resources to advance Indonesian agriculture,” he said.
This activity demonstrates ULM’s commitment to preparing students not only with classroom theory but also with practical experience in the field, while strengthening collaboration between higher education and vocational schools in the development of agricultural technology.
