Abbreviation KPTT | Affiliations Jesuit, Catholic | |
Established 1965; 52 years ago (1965) Type Training in organic agriculture Location Jl. Mayang Sari No.2
Salatiga, Indonesia Director Fr. Y. Wartaya Winangun, SJ | ||
KPTT Agricultural Training Center (Kursus Pertanian Taman Tani) is a Jesuit-run boarding and day school that teaches organic farming. It was founded in 1965 in Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia.
Contents
Vision
KPTT advocates investment in sustainable products and technologies for new growth and preservation of the ecosphere. It sees the organic farmers it trains as agribusiness entrepreneurs. It seeks out new technologies that are culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable, and economically profitable, clean technologies that use renewable energy or biomaterials. The benefit of poorer, small farmers is integral to its vision. The case of Muhammad Yunus and his micro-finance bank are used as an example of the potential of innovative thinking in this field.
Curriculum
KPTT's curriculum includes both ecological-based agricultural training and business skills. Courses are offered specific to Indonesia's three time zones, with varying soils, climates, and cultures. Coursework covers the following areas: Organic Farming, Soil Fertility, Designing an Organic Farming Project, Producing Organic Pesticide, Managing and Maintaining Organic Farming, Husbandry, Biogas: Alternative Energy, Organic-processed Agricultural Products, Nutritional Value of Organic Farming Products, Agribusiness Management, Leadership, and Communication Skills. Small plots are available for students to defray their expenses while learning good farming practices.
KPTT networks internationally with Jesuit business and commerce schools concerning marketing and business skills and with technical schools to share best practices with green and clean technologies. KPTT offers staff opportunities to update their training, in the interest of being innovative.
Since 1965 (to 2009) KPTT has graduated 1116 from its year-long course; 2399 from its 3 months course; 269 from its short course (2006-2009); and exposed 9116 preschool and elementary school students to its training (2004 - 2009).