In the heart of Medan Barat, Indonesia, a quiet revolution is taking place, one that could reshape how we think about urban agriculture and community empowerment. Suratni Afrianti, a researcher from Universitas Prima Indonesia, has been leading a community service program that is transforming the lives of housewives living near the railway tracks in Sei Agul. The secret? Vertical farming.
Imagine turning a small, seemingly insignificant yard into a thriving farm. That’s exactly what Afrianti and her team are doing. By employing vertical farming techniques, they are helping these women optimize their limited yard space, not just for personal sustenance, but for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The program, detailed in a recent study published in Jurnal Pengabdian UNDIKMA (Journal of Community Service UNDIKMA), involves training, mentoring, and periodic evaluations. The goal is to empower these women, providing them with the knowledge and skills to farm vertically, package their harvests, and market their products both locally and digitally.
The results speak for themselves. Participants have shown significant improvements in their knowledge and skills in vertical farming, packaging, and marketing. But the benefits don’t stop at economic gains. This initiative also supports environmental sustainability by reducing the use of land, water, and pesticides.
Afrianti explains, “Vertical farming is not just about growing food upwards. It’s about growing opportunities, growing hope, and growing a sustainable future.” She believes that this model can be replicated in other urban areas, providing a blueprint for community empowerment and environmental stewardship.
The commercial impacts of this research are profound. As urbanization continues to rise, the demand for locally grown, sustainable produce will only increase. Vertical farming, with its space-efficient and eco-friendly nature, is poised to meet this demand. Moreover, the digital marketing aspect of the program opens up new avenues for these women to reach a wider audience, potentially turning their local produce into global commodities.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of this research is its potential to shape future developments in the field. As Afrianti puts it, “We’re not just changing lives; we’re changing the way we think about agriculture, about community, and about our future.”
This initiative is more than just a community service program. It’s a testament to the power of innovation, the strength of community, and the potential of vertical farming to revolutionize the way we think about food, sustainability, and economic growth. As we look to the future, it’s clear that vertical farming, as demonstrated by Afrianti and her team, could play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and prosperous world.