Students from the 2025 Brawijaya University Real Work Lecture (KKN) program, Faculty of Agriculture, implemented a community service initiative by building Owl Houses (RUBUHA) in Kromengan Village, Kromengan District, Malang Regency. This program aims to provide an ecological solution to rat pest control, which has long been a major problem in the village's rice and corn fields. The program was supervised by Field Supervisor Lecturer Ito Fernando, S.P., M.P., M.Sc.
Rat pests (Rattus spp.) are a serious threat to rice crop productivity in various regions, including Kromengan Village. Their presence not only causes physical damage to crops but also significantly reduces yields. In response, the KKN group from Brawijaya University's Faculty of Agriculture initiated the construction of Owl Houses (RUBUHA) as an ecological, biology-based pest control strategy.
The construction was carried out collaboratively using simple materials such as bamboo, plywood, and nails. A crucial aspect emphasized during the process was the orientation of the owl houses, which had to face north to align with the natural habits and comfort of the owls as predators.
The owl houses were installed on Friday, 25 July 2025, on farmland owned by the Jaya 2 Farmers Group, an area known for its high rat infestation levels. During the installation, the head of Poktan Jaya 2, Mr. Daeri, expressed appreciation to the KKN students, saying:
"Owls have a significant impact on controlling rat populations. Since no farmers in this village have previously used owls, we are very interested in building more RUBUHAs in fields facing similar problems after seeing this development."
The following day, Saturday, 26 July 2025, another owl house unit was symbolically handed over to the Head of Kromengan Village to support owl conservation and ensure the sustainability of the RUBUHA program. This symbolic handover served as a key step toward promoting ecosystem-based pest control practices among local farmers.
Subsequently, on Saturday, 26 July 2025, another owl house unit was symbolically handed over to the Head of Kromengan Village to support owl conservation and RUBUHA program sustainability. This symbolic moment served as an initial step to promote ecosystem-based pest control among farmers more widely.
Through this program, FP UB KKN students not only applied their academic knowledge in a practical setting but also fostered cross-sectoral collaboration to address real-world agricultural problems. Moving forward, the RUBUHA model is expected to be replicated in other agricultural areas as an effective and sustainable nature-based solution, in line with SDGs 15 (Life on Land), which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
Field Supervisor Lecturer Ito Fernando, S.P., M.P., M.Sc., stated:
"The RUBUHA program is a tangible example of how scientific knowledge and local wisdom can synergize to create sustainable agricultural solutions. We hope this student initiative not only reduces dependence on chemical pesticides but also raises community awareness about maintaining ecological balance for long-term food security."
