The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has once again recorded an outstanding achievement through the success of several lecturers in securing funding under the 2026 Research, Community Service, and Priority Research Downstreaming Program, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
This accomplishment reflects the strong commitment of the Faculty of Agriculture USU’s academic community in developing innovative research and community service initiatives with broad societal impact. The funding covers various strategic schemes, ranging from basic to applied research, as well as science- and technology-based community empowerment programs.
In the Research category, several lecturers who successfully obtained funding include:
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Marheni, MP (Principal Investigator), with the proposal titled “Study of Predator Arthropods Preying on the Oil Palm Pollinating Weevil (Elaeidobius kamerunicus) and Its Impact on Population Dynamics” under the Doctoral Dissertation Research scheme, focusing on the food sector.
- Ir. Fuad Hasan, S.Pt., M.Si., IPM (Principal Investigator), through the research “Exploration of Proteomic Biomarkers in Embryos for Precision Breeding of Superior Bali Cattle” under the Early Career Lecturer Research scheme.
- Dr. Nauas Domu Marihot Romauli, STP., M.Eng (Principal Investigator), with the innovation “Prototype of an IoT-Based Smart Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Dryer Integrated with Digital Twins for High-Quality Snakehead Fish Albumin Production” under the Applied Research scheme with a prototype output.
Meanwhile, in the Community Service category, funding was awarded to:
- Yusni Khairani Tampubolon, M.Sc (Principal Investigator), through the program “Biotransformation of Cassava Plant Waste and Small Ruminant Urine through an Integrated Approach to Improve the Productivity of KAPEDO Livestock Groups.”
- R. B. Moh. Ibrahim Fatoni, M.P (Principal Investigator), with the activity “Empowering the Bangun Mandiri Farming Community through Technology Transfer of Biogas Production Based on Livestock Waste as a Renewable Energy Source.”
In addition, a notable achievement was also attained by Prof. Dr. Ir. Elisa Julianti, M.Si., who successfully received funding under the 2026 Priority Research Downstreaming Program. This accomplishment reflects recognition of her dedication and contribution in transforming research outputs into implementable innovations.
This funding is expected to serve as a catalyst in strengthening the research and community service ecosystem, as well as encouraging sustainable downstreaming of research results that directly benefit society.
This grant program also represents the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology’s commitment to strengthening national research quality, enhancing innovation competitiveness, and reinforcing the role of higher education institutions as key actors in addressing development challenges, in line with the “Impactful Higher Education, Science, and Technology” agenda.
The Faculty of Agriculture USU extends its congratulations and appreciation to all lecturers who received the funding. It is hoped that this achievement will continue to inspire the creation of new innovations that contribute significantly to the advancement of science, society, and the nation.