Yogyakarta, November 5, 2025 — A team of lecturers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vocational School, Universitas Gadjah Mada (DTM SV UGM) has carried out the Community Service Program 2025 under the title “Drive System for Corn Sheller Machine for the Ngudi Rahayu Women Farmers Group, Karangmojo, Gunungkidul.”
This initiative is part of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, emphasizing community service as a means of applying academic research and technological innovation to empower local communities.
The activity took place from June to November 2025 in Karangmojo Sub-district, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region. The project was led by Dr. Ir. Handoko, S.T., M.T., with team members Dr. Ir. Lilik Dwi Setyana, S.T., M.T., Dr. Ir. Setyawan Bekti Wibowo, S.T., M.Eng., Ir. Braam Delfian Prihadianto, S.T., M.Eng., and Dr.Eng. Ir. Agustinus Winarno, S.T., M.Eng. Two undergraduate students, Rizky Kurniawan (Student ID: 22/493661/SV/20720) and Arif Pratama (Student ID: 22/503252/SV/21489), also joined the project to gain practical field experience. The partner institution was the Ngudi Rahayu Women Farmers Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani) in Karangmojo, Gunungkidul.
The program originated from a survey facilitated by the Research and Community Service Unit (PPM) of the Vocational School UGM, under the coordination of Vice Dean for Research and Community Service, Dr. Ir. Wiryanta, S.T., M.T. The survey identified a key challenge faced by the Ngudi Rahayu group: low productivity in corn shelling due to manual processing methods that required high labor and long working hours.
To overcome this issue, the DTM SV UGM team designed and fabricated a mechanically driven corn sheller machine aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing operator fatigue. The design process utilized Computer Aided Design (CAD) for detailed modeling and engineering drawings, and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) for structural analysis and drive system optimization. After fabrication, the team conducted performance testing to ensure reliability and safety before officially handing over the machine to the community partner.
In addition to the equipment handover, the team organized training sessions and technical workshops to help the women farmers understand machine operation, routine maintenance, and simple troubleshooting techniques. This hands-on approach ensures that the beneficiaries can independently manage and sustain the equipment’s use for future production cycles.
This activity illustrates how universities can bridge academic knowledge and community needs, transforming research and innovation into tangible benefits for society. The collaboration between DTM SV UGM and local farmers reflects the university’s dedication to inclusive development and the promotion of small-scale agricultural technology.
Moreover, the project supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Through this community service effort, DTM SV UGM reaffirms its commitment to advancing sustainable rural development and fostering innovation that benefits local communities.
The Community Service Team with partners during the handover of the corn husker, from left Dr. Ir. Lilik Dwi Setyana, S.T., M.T. (Head of Department), three women members of the farmer group, the Head of the Hamlet (in Javanese clothing), Dr. Ir. Handoko, S.T., M.T. (Head of the Community Service Team), local residents as witnesses and Ir. Braam Delfian Prihadianto, S.T., M.Eng. (team member).