BINUS University Efforts to Establish Agrotourism Center in Labuan Bajo
BINUS University, in collaboration with the West Manggarai Agriculture Office, is supporting local farmers in establishing an agrotourism center in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The program encompasses land preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and processing of crops into market-ready products. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase these agricultural goods as souvenirs.
This initiative is part of BINUS University’s Initiative Project, which prioritizes the development of Labuan Bajo. It builds on a previous visit during which BINUS identified key challenges faced by local farmers to design a more targeted support program.
“We are currently identifying suitable land to establish a model organic agrotourism area,” said Dr. Sekar Prasetyaningtyas, a lecturer at BINUS University, during a training session held at Pavila Hotel, Labuan Bajo, on Monday, March 10, 2025. “This demonstration site will serve as a reference for farmers in adopting organic farming practices.” Dr. Sekar explained that the training and outreach activities aim to strengthen Labuan Bajo’s position as a leading tourism destination by empowering farmers to optimize their land and produce commodities that support both tourism and local economic growth.
She also emphasized Labuan Bajo’s untapped potential beyond marine tourism, highlighting agriculture as a sector with significant opportunities. “We hope to inaugurate the agrotourism center by September 2025, with BINUS leadership and the Regent of Manggarai Barat expected to attend the launch,” she added.
Alongside the farmer training, the program included a series of workshops and focus group discussions. On the first day, 10th March 2025, knowledge-sharing sessions were led by Associate Professor Dr. Yuvaraj Ganesan from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr. Dang Xuan Phi from Vietnam National University of Agriculture, and lecturers from BINUS University’s Master of Management Program.
In the afternoon, a focus group discussion was moderated by Dr. (C) Stefanus Rumangkit and Dr. Evelyn Hendriana from BINUS University’s Doctor of Research in Management (DRM) Program.
The second day featured an online training session with industry partners, followed by a brainstorming session between participants and DRM Program lecturers, including Prof. Idris Gautama So, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hamsal, Dr. Sri Bramantoro Abdinagoro, Dr. Evelyn Hendriana, and Dr. Arta Moro Sundjaja.
Through this comprehensive effort, BINUS University aims to foster sustainable economic growth in Labuan Bajo by enhancing its agricultural sector and expanding its tourism offerings.