Technological and professional skill development for horticulture in Indonesia

Horticultural commodities (fruit, vegetable, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants) have the potential to contribute to the economic recovery of Indonesia. Unfortunately, professional people in this area are limited because of the delay in establishing horticultural education at the university level. Brawijaya University was the first university to establish a Horticultural Study Program (HSP) in September 1984. A study of the alumni revealed that 57% of graduates required more than one year to get their first job. The quality of graduates were low in professional skills, technology and communication capabilities. During the last five years, the HSP has shown a significant downward trend. The average number of incoming students is declining every year and the average time required to finish their study has increased to 4.9 years. Additional effort is needed to strengthen the HSP to improve the graduate's technological skills, entrepreneurship and communication proficiency.