The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM) has launched a community service program titled “Optimizing Backyard Land for Enhancing Sub-Urban Household Food Security in Sukoharjo Regency.” This program involved a team consisting of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, including Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., Asih Kusumaningsih, S.P., M.Sc., Dr. Ega Adhi Wicaksono, S.Pi., and 5 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM.
The program, which run for 10 months from February to December 2024, targeted the Dawis Dahlia PKK group in the Ngariboyo, Kepuh, Nguter, Sukoharjo, Central Java. The program aimed to educate and assist the sub-urban community in utilizing their backyard land optimally to support family food security.
Sukoharjo was selected due to its potential as a sub-urban area with plenty of available land, yet much of it remains underutilized. The team leader, Hariyani Dwi Anjani, S.P., M.Sc., explained that many backyard lands in Sukoharjo are not well-managed.
“This activity was designed to address the challenge of managing land to be more productive and sustainable. We hope this program can raise awareness and improve the skills of the community to utilize their land productively,” she said.
The program was expected to enhance family food security and serve as a model for community empowerment based on backyard land utilization. The Faculty of Agriculture UGM continues its commitment to contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Indonesia. This initiative is also a clear demonstration of the Faculty’s efforts to achieve the SDGs, including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Author: Agrit Kirana Bunda
Editor: Desi Utami