UNS — Research Group of Economics and Rural Development of Agribusiness Program, Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta conducted food resilience based on urban farming. This development is aimed for people who live in Gendingan, Jebres, Surakarta, especially the member of Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) RT 03 RW XVI, on Saturday (29/8/2020).
Dr. Umi Barokah, S.P., M.P. stated that the event held at the end of August 2020 includes counseling, training, providing facilities and infrastructure assistance, as well as assistance in implementing urban farming. Participants also get vegetable seeds and catfish. The event was joined by the representatives of PKK members and conducted by implementing health protocol to prevent Covid-19 transmission. Thirty-five participants joined the event online.
Dr. Umi and her team conducted the event because food resilience and independence are also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, while food availability plays a significant role in building qualified human resources. One of the problems experienced by urban household in food provision is limited lands. However, PPK members in Gendingan do not have sufficient knowledge on urban farming, its implementation, and limited facilities and infrastructures.
“This is why, urban farming development through this program is one of the efforts to support food independence in the neighborhood,” she added.
Dr. Umi hopes that this program will help household food provision, and meets food demands independently. Thus, from the economic aspect, urban farming can reduce household spending by consuming their harvest.
“Through the introduction of urban farming, we hope that the community will be more skilled, motivated to cultivate various plants, increase food self-sufficiency, and urban communities can still grow various vegetables in their home environment so that it becomes greener and more beautiful,” Dr. Umi stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
