Lush Green Vegetables Change the Image of a Village

Kompas/Irma Tambunan

Hydroponic farming has become increasingly popular following the decline in the availability of agricultural land. This farming method is considered superior to other methods, because crops can be grown without soil and produce quicker harvests. RM Kaltum, 47, tends to hydroponic pakchoi planted by a women farmers group in Penyengat Rendah village, Telanaipura district, Jambi city.

The crop of sawi sendok or pakcoi (mustard greens), in the yard of 47-year old man Kaltum has yet to enter harvest time. However, traders have already ordered the vegetables. This week alone, vegetable traders came twice to his house asking to buy the vegetables.

“The sawi sendok is selling well. Many traders have already lined up to order it for the upcoming harvest,” Kaltum said Tuesday.

The sawi sendok, grown in small pots made from used mineral water bottles, is quite tempting. The leaves are wide and green. With hydroponic farming methods the plants are not only healthier, but also grow faster. Within 25 to 30 days, the sawi sendok can be harvested, while with conventional farming methods it takes 35 days.

The prices of the vegetables are also higher. A supermarket in Jambi sells usual pakcoi for Rp 17,000 per kilogram, while the hydroponic pakcoi is sold for Rp 40,000 per kilogram. Traders buy Kaltum’s vegetables to supply supermarkets.

Hydroponic farming is becoming increasingly popular due to the shrinking availability of agricultural land. In addition to Kaltum, about 30 families in Penyengat Rendah village, Telanaipura subdistrict, Jambi city, also grow vegetables using hydroponic methods. Not all grow the vegetables on a large-scale; some are just trying to learn.

"The results are good enough. The vegetables can be used for our own consumption at home. We no longer need to buy vegetables," said Ainun, 41, a resident of the RT 012 neighborhood, who began growing vegetables using hydroponic farming just two months ago.

Hydroponic farming is considered easy because farmers are not required to till the soil. Farmers just need to put vegetable seeds in containers and fill them with water that has been combined with nutrition. Farmers no longer need to spend money on chemical fertilizers. With proper nutritional doses, the plants will thrive.

Pioneers

Hydroponic farming was introduced to the area by Syafii, 37, a local resident, two years ago. A graduate of Al-Azhar University of Cairo, he had previously attempted to produce processed food, but failed due to marketing problems.

With limited capital, Syafii was determined to start a new business. After studying farming via the Internet, he decided to try his hand at hydroponic farming. Equipment for this farming method can be taken from used materials. For pots, for example, he utilized used mineral water bottles. As a growing medium, he uses coconut husk. "I made everything with almost with no capital at all," he said.

After witnessing the results in Syafii’s yard, many other residents also became interested in trying out hydroponic farming for themselves. The village has transformed from a densely populated settlement into a vegetable garden on the edge of the Batanghari River. Green plants adorn the yards of residents, the air is fresh and the scenery is beautiful.

Most importantly, however, people’s yards have become a source of income. The area is now known as a vegetable supplier for the city of Jambi. The production of hydroponic vegetables in Penyengat Rendah village reaches 500 kilograms per month and is still growing as more residents engage in the new farming method.

On a small-scale, hydroponics plants are relatively safe from pest attacks. However, if developed on a larger scale, residents need extra money to build greenhouses to protect plants from pests and the weather.

Given the economic potential of hydroponic farming in Penyengat Rendah village, the representative office of Bank Indonesia in Jambi province provided aid in the form greenhouses and training to empower women to use their yards to grow vegetables, fruit and medicinal plants using hydroponic methods.

The greenhouses are managed by the residents.

Each greenhouse can produce 75 kilograms of vegetables per month. Sale turnovers reach Rp 2 million per month, while farming cost are only about Rp 500,000. Thus, each greenhouse can produce Rp 1.5 million in profit per month.

Model village

Hydroponic agriculture, said Syafii, has changed the image of the village. Previously known as a village with many unemployed people, it has now become a model village.

Thanks to hydroponic farming, Penyengat Rendah village won the beautiful village competition held by the city of Jambi in 2015. In 2016, the village was announced as the winner of similar races at the provincial and national levels.

The success of Penyengat Rendah village has seen Lingkar Selatan and Pasir Putih villages in South Jambi also adopt hydroponic farming.

Hydroponic farming in the villages has also attracted significant attention from people willing to offer assistance. The government of Jambi city through Mayor Syarif Fasha has provided training and greenhouses, while Arafah Hospital has also provided assistance.

The head of Penyengat Rendah, Nurbasnelly, said vegetable production in the village was expected to increase in order to meet the demand in Jambi.

Thus, Jambi would no longer need to rely on supplies from neighboring provinces.

The challenge now is to ensure the sustainability of the vegetable production. Planting still needs to be scheduled so harvest periods will not take place simultaneously. By doing so, oversupply can be avoided and prices will remain stable thus improving the welfare of the people.