Unila Presents Center Melon Agro-tourism City

(Unila): University of Lampung (Unila) held the first harvest of melons as well as the grand opening of the Agrotourism Garden of the University of Lampung, at the Unila Agro-tourism Garden, Jalan Soemantri Brojonegoro, Bandarlampung, Wednesday (2/9/2020) morning.

The event was opened directly by Unila Rector Prof. Dr. Karomani, M.Si., witnessed by leaders and top officials in the campus environment, as well as business partners. This first harvest activity is part of the implementation of the tridarma of the University of Lampung, especially research and community service.

The Melon Unila Agro-Tourism Garden was held thanks to the collaboration between the Unila Business Management Agency (BPU) and the Barokah Kresna Farmer Group. The concept of agro-tourism was chosen because of the high tourism potential in Lampung Province after the completion of the Bakauheni-Palembang toll road, which facilitates the flow of tourists out of the way to Lampung.

This garden is expected to function as a vehicle for education and research on horticultural crops for both universities and other public schools. The Melon Unila Agro-tourism Garden is a form of Unila’s support for the Lampung Provincial Government’s Berjaya Farmers Program.

“The presence of this garden is expected to further encourage the development of the agricultural sector in Lampung Province, especially horticultural crops as a business opportunity with high economic value,” said Karomani.

Unila Agro-tourism Gardens also involve agricultural students in its management. Not only developing Lampung agriculture, Karomani hopes that the Melon Unila Agro-tourism Garden can become a best practice for Unila agricultural students as a provision after graduation. This Garden is open to the public from September 2 to October 2020 with an entrance ticket price of IDR 10,000 per person.

Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the melon garden and take selfies and feel the sensation of picking various types of melons, namely Sky, Rock, Golden and Titanium. The price of melons on offer ranges from IDR 10,000 to IDR 25,000 per kilogram depending on the type and size. Visitors who will enter must continue to apply the Covid-19 prevention health protocol by maintaining a distance, using masks, hand sanitizers, and washing hands.

The number of visitors who enter will be limited in several groups accompanied by guides from the manager. The guide will provide instructions on how to pick melons and brief information on melon cultivation.