Promoting Healthy Agriculture: AQUA and Human Initiative Conduct Field Schools for Subang Farmers

Subang, West Java – Members of the Saluyu Farmers Association (Gapoktan) in Pasanggarahan Village, Subang Regency, West Java, received training on the production of organic liquid fertilizer (7/6). This initiative is a collaborative effort between AQUA and the Human Initiative to encourage and support healthy agriculture practices among farmers in Subang.

The Field School activity took place at Saung Tanik Organic Mandiri, Pasanggarahan Village, Subang Regency, West Java, providing a platform for farmers to engage in discussions with extension workers. The objective of the Field School for Farmers is to enhance farmers’ skills in producing organic liquid fertilizer.

The event was attended by village officials, POPT officers (Controllers of Plant Organisms and Pests), extension workers, and the Chairperson of Gapoktan Saluyu. Rany Juliani and Oleh Nuryamin, representing AQUA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, were also present.

Implementation of Field Schools

Ferry Agustian, an instructor in the program, explained that the process of making organic liquid fertilizer involves the use of Berenuk fruit, which contains saponins, tannins, and alkaloids that help control pests, including planthoppers in rice plants.

“This simplifies the process for farmers. They can apply both fertilizer and plant-based pesticides to prevent pests,” he stated.

The chopped natural ingredients contribute to the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and calcium (K) content of the fertilizer. Gamal and kirinyuh leaves provide nitrogen, coconut fiber, and jengkol contribute phosphorus, while snails and whiting offer calcium.

Farmers expressed gratitude for the assistance of a chopping machine provided through the AQUA CSR Program. It has greatly facilitated the previous labor-intensive process of manually pounding the natural ingredients,” said Zezen Zaelani, Chairperson of Gapoktan Saluyu.

Boosting Rice Selling Price

This year, farmers are eager to participate in testing the residue of the healthy rice they produce. They hope that legal certification will increase consumer confidence and improve the selling price of rice in the market. Ultimately, farmers aim to achieve higher incomes from the sale of rice.

“In collaboration with the Pasgajaya Cooperative, Human Initiative, and PT. Tirta Investama Aqua Subang (AQUA) are committed to facilitating the sale of healthy rice produced by Pasanggrahan Farmers,” explained Bustanul Aripin Nasir, Manager of the West Java Ecodev Human Initiative Integration Program.

Bustan further emphasized that the Pasgajaya Cooperative is one of the companion programs within the Human Initiative’s economic development program. The Human Initiative hopes that this program will gradually have a positive impact on farmers and the community of Pasanggrahan.

Reporter: Dedeh Ratna – West Java Human Initiative