KPTT Agricultural Training Center
| Abbreviation | KPTT |
|---|---|
| Established | 1965 |
| Type | Training in organic agriculture |
| Location | |
Director | Fr. Y. Wartaya Winangun, SJ |
| Affiliations | Jesuit, Catholic |
| Website | KPTT |
KPTT Agricultural Training Center (Kursus Pertanian Taman Tani) is a Jesuit-run boarding and day school that teaches organic farming. It was founded in 1965 in Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia.
Vision
KPTT advocates investment in sustainable products and technologies for new growth and preservation of the ecosphere. It sees the organic farmers it trains as agribusiness entrepreneurs.[1] It seeks out new technologies that are culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable, and economically profitable, clean technologies that use renewable energy or biomaterials.[2] The benefit of poorer, small farmers is integral to its vision. The case of Muhammad Yunus and his micro-finance bank are used as an example of the potential of innovative thinking in this field.[3]
Curriculum
KPTT's curriculum unites ecological-based agricultural training with business skills. For this it strives to take an approach that is sound both practically and theoretically. It looks for long-range sustainability within the Indonesian context. It adjusts theory to the great diversity of Indonesia with it three time zones and varying soil types, crops, climates, and cultures. It teaches skills in both technical farming and business.
Coursework covers the following areas: Organic Farming, Soil Fertility, Designing an Organic Farming Project, Producing Organic Pesticide, Managing and Maintaining Organic Farming, Husbandry, Biogas: Alternative Energy, Organic-processed Agricultural Products, Nutritional Value of Organic Farming Products, Agribusiness Management, Leadership, and Communication Skills.[3]
The curriculum has four dimensions: in-depth knowledge about organic food production; learning how to make innovative ideas a reality; forming attitudes of practical respect and love for nature and agriculture; communication skills (written and spoken). Small plots are available for students to defray their expenses while learning good farming practices.[4]
KPTT looks to network internationally with Jesuit schools – business and commerce schools concerning marketing and business skills[5] and technical schools to share best practices with green and clean technologies.[6] KPTT seeks to foster staff that is constantly looking for innovations in the areas of farming and of marketing farm products. This includes opportunities for staff to update their training.
Since 1965 (to 2009) KPTT has graduated 1116 from its year-long course; 2399 from its 3 months course; 269 from its short course (2006-2009); and exposed 9116 preschool and elementary school students to its training (2004 - 2009).[7][8]
References
- ↑ Greg Soetomo. Ecofarming and Green Commerce: A Jesuit Agricultural Training Centre" in Promotio Iustitiae 104, 2010/1.
- ↑ Success Stories. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- 1 2 SJ Secretariat. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Blog. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Loyola Chicago. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- ↑ Kasisi. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- ↑ IndoOrganic. Accessed 8 April 2016.
- ↑ WordPress. Accessed 8 April 2016.
Coordinates: 7°20′12.59″S 110°29′55.62″E / 7.3368306°S 110.4987833°E