On July 7, 2024, a team of lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM carried out a community service activity in Dusun Ngariboyo, Desa Kepuh, Kecamatan Nguter, Kabupaten Sukoharjo. This activity focused on the utilization of home gardens for vegetable cultivation, with the goal of enhancing food security and community well-being through the optimization of local resources.
The participating lecturers included Hariyani Dw Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., and Asih Kusumaningsih, S.P., M.Sc. from the Department of Social Economics Agriculture, as well as Dr. Ega Adhi Wicaksono from the Department of Fisheries. They provided outreach on the importance of home garden utilization and guided practical sessions covering seedling practices, land preparation, vegetable planting, plant care, and compost production. Additionally, the community was taught how to make compost, which is a crucial step in supporting sustainable agriculture.
The results of the activity were very positive, with high enthusiasm from the community in participating in each session of the outreach and training. Their active participation demonstrated the tangible benefits of the program, particularly in optimizing previously underutilized home garden spaces.
This activity also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), which focuses on eradicating hunger and improving food security, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), which supports sustainable agricultural practices through the use of compost, and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which promotes sustainable land management to support local biodiversity.
With a spirit of dedication, the lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, especially from the Department of Social Economics Agriculture, continue to strive to make a tangible contribution to the community, particularly in improving well-being through sustainable agricultural development. It is hoped that this activity will be a starting point for the people of Desa Kepuh to maximize the potential of their home gardens and enhance their overall quality of life.
Author: Adhika Hafizh Prasada, S.P.
Admin of the Website for the Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM