Developing Multilevel Plant Cultivation, FMIPA UI Realizes KRPL Program

Agricultural land in urban areas is increasingly limited. So that people in urban areas are starting to lack space to come into contact with agricultural cultivation. In addition, narrow yard land in densely populated settlements is generally not optimally utilized to support family food availability.

The terraced plant cultivation system is a greening concept that is suitable for densely populated residential areas with limited land.

With this background, the Community Service Team (Pengmas) from the Department of Geography, FMIPA UI, partnered with PKK cadres from Sukamaju Village, Cilodong District, to carry out activities to create and develop terraced plants.

Head of the Community Service Team, Dewi Susilowati, said that the aim of the community service program is to form PKK cadres who understand, have affection and are skilled in empowering local communities through the development of terraced plants.

"With the development of this terraced plant technology application, it is hoped that participants will be able to utilize the limited home environment to support family food needs. In addition to this activity being a transfer of terraced plant technology to the home environment, it is also hoped that a clean atmosphere will be realized, and added value (income) will be obtained from the products produced," said Dewi.

In addition, he said, community service aims to increase the independence of PKK cadre groups that have been formed through tiered vegetable planting cooperation.

The community service team then created and developed terraced plants in RT02 and RT07 RW06, Sukamaju Village.

The types of vegetable plants chosen to be developed are chili, mustard greens, lettuce, kale, and basil. The participants were enthusiastic in carrying out activities starting from preparing the planting media, spreading seeds and planting the seedlings that had been sown.

"We are working together with the Depok City Food Security, Agriculture, and Fisheries Service to discuss the Sustainable Food Home Area (KRPL) program," he continued.

After carrying out the practice of creating terraced plants, assistance was continued in fertilizing and weeding the plants.

Thinning of plants that grow in clusters is also carried out so that they can be moved so that they do not pile up and can grow optimally.

"The first harvest was done in September. It is planned that the second harvest will be done at the end of October. With regular monitoring and mentoring activities, it is hoped that the objectives of this community service program can be met," said Dewi.

News source: https://sci.ui.ac.id/