On October 29, 2024, a team of lecturers from the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics (Sosek) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Irham, M.Sc., collaborated with Kana Cooperative and the Agam Regency Government to introduce sustainable farming techniques for sugarcane cultivation. The outreach event, held at the Nagari Lawang Village Office in Matur District, Agam Regency, invited local sugarcane farmers from Kanagarian Lawang and Kebagarian Tigo Balai to participate.
The UGM team provided diverse expertise through their presentations. Prof. Irham, as Head of the Outreach Team, introduced the ringpit technique, a soil and water conservation method. This method involves creating a ring-shaped pit around the sugarcane plants, which improves water and nutrient absorption efficiency. According to Prof. Irham, this technique holds substantial potential to significantly increase sugarcane productivity while promoting long-term soil sustainability in Agam.