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Rosdiana first learned about the IRN Program through its annual publication regularly distributed on campus. Encouragement from her academic supervisor, Dr. Sartika Indah Amalia Sudiarto, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., also played a major role in motivating her to participate.

In her research, Rosdiana addressed three key challenges in Indonesian agriculture: recurring monoculture practices, dependency on chemical fertilizers, and declining food productivity. To tackle these issues, she applied the “Three Sisters” system, a traditional cultivation method that grows three crops corn, long beans, and pumpkin together on the same plot of land.

These crops form a mutually beneficial ecological relationship. Corn serves as a natural trellis, long beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and pumpkin covers the ground to retain moisture and suppress weed growth. The system was further enhanced by using vermicompost, an organic fertilizer produced through earthworm decomposition that is rich in nutrients and microorganisms.

Rosdiana aimed to demonstrate that sustainable agriculture can be achieved through an efficient, productive, and environmentally friendly cultivation system.

The research was conducted over six months, from October 2024 to April 2025, at the ITB Educational Farm in Jatinangor Campus. The process involved land preparation, seed germination, phased planting, and intensive maintenance using organic pesticides and fertilizers.

However, the project was not without its challenges. The field planting phase proved to be the most demanding part of the research. “Synchronizing three crops with different growth characteristics was difficult, especially under unpredictable weather conditions. The corn plants, which grew taller than my own height, made data collection physically challenging,” she said.

For Rosdiana, the most meaningful insight came from realizing the natural balance within the system. It works not because of heavy input, but because of its precise ecological relationships. This serves as a reminder that innovation can often be born from traditional wisdom, nature itself.

She also believes that the Three Sisters system could benefit smallholder farmers in Indonesia who have limited land and resources. With low cost, high productivity, and resilience to climate change, the system is highly suitable for tropical environments.

Rosdiana expressed her appreciation to her research partners, Paloma Matondang and Sakura Laila Santoso, who worked alongside her from the beginning until completion. What began as a final project eventually evolved into something far greater and more meaningful.

This award marks a significant milestone in her academic journey. Looking ahead, Rosdiana plans to advance her research into more practical applications, such as field trials with small farmers or community-based sustainable agriculture programs.

For Rosdiana, this achievement is not the end but a starting point to continue learning and contributing. She believes that research is not merely an academic pursuit but also a way for young people to voice their ideas through evidence. The spirit of research, she affirms, grows not from complete readiness but from the courage to begin.

Reporter: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Bio Management, 2025)