UNISMU Develops Agroecological Tourism Village in Pangkep

UNISMUH.AC.ID, PANGKEP — Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar bersama Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare (UMPAR) continued their community service program in Desa Kabba, Kecamatan Minasatene, Pangkep Regency. This activity is in its second year of the Village-Based Service (PBD) scheme, focusing on developing smart agro-eco-educational tourism in the Maros–Pangkep karst area.

This program, which began in 2024, is designed to run for three years, until 2026. The service team is led by Prof. Dr. Syamsia, SP., M.Si., a lecturer in the Agrotechnology Program at Unismuh Makassar. She is assisted by Prof. Dr. Iradhatullah Rahim, SP., MP. from UMPAR, Dr. Andi Rahayu Anwar, SP., M.Si. from the Agribusiness Program at Unismuh, and Dr. Rohana, ST., MT. from the Architecture Program at Unismuh. Several students from the Unismuh Agrotechnology Program also participated as community facilitators.

The program partners include the Lamperangan Forest Farmers Group (KTH), the Kabba Tourist Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), and the village government. The service activities are carried out through five stages: socialization, training, technology application, facilitation and evaluation, and sustainability strengthening.

"Desa Kabba has extraordinary potential as an agro-ecological tourism destination based on karst. We want to help the community increase the added value of agricultural products while strengthening the appeal of sustainable tourism," said Prof. Syamsia, the Head of the Implementation Team, in her statement.

The Head of Desa Kabba welcomed the arrival of the academic team. "We are grateful that this program opens up new opportunities. The community not only benefits from agricultural management, but is also encouraged to develop village tourism," he said.

This program is supported by funding from the Directorate General of Research and Development, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, through the 2025 Multi-Year Community Empowerment Scheme (PDB) grant. This is the second year of the implementation of the service program. According to the service team, this support ensures that the activities can continue and have a real impact on the community.

Unismuh Makassar's efforts align with the mission of Higher Education and the campus's commitment to supporting sustainable village development. With collaboration between universities, communities, and village governments, Desa Kabba is expected to grow into a Smart Agro-Eco-Educational Tourism model that highlights local potential while preserving the Maros–Pangkep karst environment.