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PNM customers engage in urban farming to support stunting-prevention program
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iving in built-up areas often means limited space for both housing and greenery. Urban farming is an initiative that allows city dwellers to cultivate plants. By maximizing the use of available land, urban farmers can produce local food sustainably.
Syonita is one such successful urban farmer. As the head of the PNM Mekaar KS Tubun customer group and also a BRILink Mekaar agent, she has transformed her garden into an urban farm as part of the BRI Menanam program. Together with the Mekaar group members under her coordination, Ita, as she is known, learns how to plant and nurture crops until the harvest season arrives.
PNM also plays a significant role in this endeavor. Through the mini-farm, various training sessions are provided to Ita's group. PNM focuses on empowering customers through financing and support, aiming to improve their well-being, particularly contributing to economic development that creates a multiplier effect on social and environmental development.
Now, Ita, along with her group members, actively manages the farm in her yard and utilizes the harvested crops for daily needs. "When we have excess harvest, we also share it with the neighbors around here," she explained.
Among the crops she is currently cultivating in her mini-farm are various types of pumpkins. This aligns with the government's agenda, as honey pumpkins are believed to have many important nutrients. Pumpkin seeds also have the potential to serve as functional food to prevent stunting in children.
"The Mekaar ladies and I are trying to cultivate honey pumpkins. Especially since there are many families with small children here. If we succeed in the harvest, we can distribute them to ensure that the children grow well," Ita said.
Ita learned about the potential of pumpkins as a stunting-prevention crop from the local government, which encourages each region to cultivate pumpkins. She hopes that more people will get involved in managing urban farms to maximize crop yields.
"Initially, managing an urban farm was just a side activity for me because my main focus was on selling. But every time I faced challenges in the garden, my curiosity grew. I tried every possible method until I succeeded," Ita added.
She also mentioned that this experience is similar to when she encountered difficulties in her business. During slow periods in her business, she persevered. Armed with knowledge from various business-training programs she attended through PNM, she tried every tip and trick, modified them, until she found the right solution to run her business effectively.
