11 March 2026
Threesna Sharfina
HUMAS FAHUTAN — The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with the North Sumatra Regional Board of Jaga Nusantara Bersama (JAGATARA), organized a training program on the production of superior plant seedlings for food security and environmental sustainability on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The activity, attended by 50 students from the Faculty of Forestry USU, was held at the Jagatara Superior Plant Nursery Center for Food Security in Tanjung Selamat Village, Sunggal District.
The training was led by Hendra Hutapea, SP, a prominent superior seedling breeder in North Sumatra and a member of the JAGATARA North Sumatra board in the field of food security. During the session, students were trained in seed selection and grafting techniques using the shoot grafting method.
Each student was required to practice the technique until they were able to perform grafting properly. The seedlings developed during the training included superior durian varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn (Duri Hitam), along with other high-value varieties.
Beyond enhancing students’ technical skills, this activity also serves as part of broader efforts to support food security and disaster mitigation in coastal areas of North Sumatra, which are often prone to flash floods, landslides, and erosion due to high rainfall intensity.
The Dean’s Expert Staff of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Dr. Nelly Anna, S.Hut., M.Si., stated that the superior durian seedlings produced will not only serve as learning tools for students but will also be utilized in community service programs.
“These seedlings will be distributed and planted together with local communities, prioritizing areas affected by recent flash floods in North Sumatra,” she explained.
In addition to superior durian, the team has also begun developing other local food crops such as petai, jengkol, and aren, which have strong economic potential and function as natural soil stabilizers to reduce disaster risks in coastal regions.
She further added that similar activities are planned to be conducted periodically to increase the production of superior plant seedlings for food security.
The program targets the production of up to 10,000 superior seedlings with support from JAGATARA North Sumatra.
Through this initiative, students are expected not only to gain technical expertise in plant propagation but also to actively contribute to environmental restoration, disaster mitigation, and the strengthening of community food security.
As a partner, JAGATARA North Sumatra is committed to providing continuous assistance to ensure the optimal growth and long-term benefits of the seedlings. This program is expected to serve as a model of collaboration between higher education institutions and communities in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in North Sumatra.
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