Thursday, July 15, 2021. The development of science and technology is one of the activities that are actively carried out by UNIPMA lecturers and students. UNIPMA's Biology Education Study Program as one of the centers for research development carried out the development of vertiminaponics technology (13/07/2021). The results of this technology are ready to be implemented to target communities who are partners for the downstreaming of research results.

One of the targeted partners is a group of catfish breeders in Wakah Village, Ngrambe District, Ngawi Regency. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were restrictions on access to and from the area so that the distribution of catfish seeds and catfish harvests was disrupted. This resulted in catfish farmers not cultivating catfish continuously (only once harvested) after which the pond was left to dry and not be used anymore. In general, the productivity of catfish farmers is greatly decreased. Catfish farmers find it difficult to fulfill food and economic stability during the pandemic.

The application of science and technology is carried out by the PKM PI team, led by Tri Herbaning Tiyas, Alvy Ervita Cahyany and Tiara Meyna Anggraini. This activity is funded by Belmawa Kemdikbudristek in 2021. The PKMPI team is willing to travel 50 kilometers at the foot of the Lawu desert to assist the catfish farmer group Margo Rukun in implementing vertiminaponics.

"Vertiminaponic technology is one of the modern agribusiness concepts," said W. Linda Yuhanna as a companion lecturer for the PKM team. Vertiminaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics that produces a symbiotic mutualism or mutual benefit. The plants that are most often grown vertiminaponically are vegetable crops. The Aquaponics system has two important components, namely the hydroponic section where the plants are grown, and the aquaculture section where the fish are raised. In the vertiminaponic system, the vertical cultivation of vegetables will be directly supported by the system below.

Catfish farmers are greatly helped by this technology. "Since the pandemic, we have been pessimistic about the results of catfish, but with this program we are again motivated to raise catfish with a combination of vertiminaponics," said Suyono, head of the catfish farmer group.

"We hope that the UNIPMA team will continue to assist catfish farmers in production, care and help in marketing vertiminaponic products," said Agus Raharjo, owner of the catfish pond. Synergy between academics and groups of catfish farmers is very much needed as an effort to improve the quality of catfish farming with the application of useful technology. Catfish farming provides a positive aspect for improving the quality and economic independence of the community.