Magetan, on Monday, January 22, 2025, Acting Regent of Magetan District Nizhamul met with Plasma Technology Scientist from Diponegoro University, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nur DEA. The meeting focused on strategic discussions to support nutritious and healthy food sources. The launch of a nutritious lunch initiative requires support from horticultural products that serve as nutrition sources and are free from pesticides. The meeting, held at the historic Pendopo in Magetan, was attended by the Head of Bappeda, the Head of the Agriculture Department, several department heads from various sectors, including the cooperatives, trade, and agriculture departments, among others.
The discussion centered on developing a horticultural packaging house in Magetan, located at the foot of Mount Lawu, a region with significant agricultural potential, especially in horticulture. Its geographical conditions, with elevations between 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level and cool temperatures ranging from 18-25°C, make it ideal for horticultural cultivation, such as chili, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, and other vegetables and fruits. However, the main challenges farmers face include post-harvest losses, market price fluctuations, and limited access to modern technology to maintain the quality of their produce. Additionally, horticultural products are not free from pesticide residue contamination.
To address these challenges, the concept of developing a Horticultural Packaging House based on modern technology, such as plasma ozone, offers an innovative solution. This packaging house would not only process post-harvest produce but also enhance the added value of horticultural products, extend shelf life, and expand market access both domestically and internationally.
Horticultural Potential in Magetan
Magetan’s agricultural land is at an altitude of 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level, which is ideal for horticultural crops. The volcanic mineral content from Mount Lawu further supports horticultural farming. Data from BPS (Statistics Indonesia) between 2017 and 2020 show the average annual production of horticultural products, including 10,701.25 tons of spring onions, 2,557 tons of shallots, 257.5 tons of garlic, 2,261 tons of curly red chili, 637 tons of bird’s eye chili, 2,674.75 tons of green beans, 23,569.25 tons of carrots, 3,050.25 tons of tomatoes, and 7,757.25 tons of mustard greens.
Challenges and Solutions: Ozone Plasma-Based Packaging House
The common issue faced is a post-harvest loss rate of 20-30% due to inadequate storage and distribution practices. The selling price of products often drops drastically during peak harvest seasons due to limited market access. The lack of modern technology for post-harvest processing is also a significant barrier. The Horticultural Packaging House is designed as a modern facility integrating plasma ozone technology for processing, packaging, and storing harvested products. One of its key features is cleaning with ozone plasma, following a procedure that complies with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 8759:2019, titled “Post-harvest storage of horticultural products using ozone technology – Quality requirements and testing methods.”
How does ozone apply to wash-safe horticultural products? The produce is washed using ozonated water to remove pesticide residues, bacteria, and fungi. It is then packaged to maintain its freshness for a longer time and enhance its appeal to consumers. Once packaged, the products can be distributed directly to traditional and modern markets. Additionally, products can be stored in ozone-technology refrigerated spaces to extend shelf life by 2-3 times. This treatment can reduce post-harvest damage to under 10%.
Beneficial Technology
Who benefits from the implementation of Plasma Ozone technology developed by the Center for Plasma Research at Diponegoro University? Many stakeholders stand to benefit, including consumers who will receive cleaner, higher-quality products. Farmers will have the opportunity to sell their products for longer periods due to the preserved freshness, resulting in more stable income. Additionally, local governments will benefit from increased local revenue (PAD) through expanded market access and higher demand for regional products. This post-harvest technology also supports food security programs and local economic development.
New Technology and Empowering Farmers
Ozone plasma technology for horticultural products is the result of research and development. It is a new technology, and farmers need to understand its importance and how to utilize the packaging house facilities. The packaging house will be developed through collaboration between local government, farmer groups, and academics. Relevant government departments will partner with universities like Diponegoro University, which has expertise in ozone plasma technology and has supported several horticultural packaging houses in various regions. By increasing product quality and market access, the packaging house will enable farmers to achieve higher prices and more stable incomes. This technology will also reduce losses from post-harvest damage and create new job opportunities in processing, packaging, and marketing horticultural products.
The development of the Horticultural Packaging House in Magetan, located at the foot of Mount Lawu, is a strategic step to optimize the region’s horticultural potential. With the support of ozone plasma technology, this program is expected to improve farmers’ livelihoods, expand market access, and establish Magetan as one of Indonesia’s leading horticultural hubs. The collaboration between local governments, academics, and farmers will be key to the successful implementation of this initiative.
