Tapin's BUMDes reduces stunting with hydroponic vegetable

Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - After developing hydroponic vegetables, the Mekarsari Village-owned enterprise (BUMDes) in Tapin District, South Kalimantan, gained income as well as reducing stunting by fulfilling people's nutrition.

"In the last two months it has earned a total of IDR25 million," said Mekarsari Village Chief Misran Misdi.

The BUMDes, which also hires youth from youth organization (Karang Taruna), is predicted to have a more productive potential in the future.

"We plant mustard green, lettuce, kale, spinach, and Pak Choy. We chose this because it is easy to care for and without chemical mixture, so it is healthier," he explained.

The popular vegetables have already their own market which is obtained from the network of the Mekar Jaya BUMDes and the Tapin Community and Village Empowerment (PMD) Agency.

"We sell to Banjarbaru, Binuang, with the target of cafes, shops, restaurants, and community. We already have our own market," he said.

There is something unique of the BUMDes provision. The vegetables if marketed to the general public the price is lower than cafes or shops. The aim is to help meet the nutritional needs of the community at a low price.

"Alhamdulillah, in our village initially there were several stunted children, now there are only two after we have this hydroponic vegetable," he said.

The village chief plans to add the varieties of vegetables and to make a natural lake in their village an economically valued tourist attraction.

Thanks to the hydroponic vegetables, the 47-year-old village chief was asked to be a speaker about Pekarangan Pangan Lestari (P2L) of the BUMDes at the national level, Thursday (Sept 16, 2021).

The webinar that discussed policies strategies for a food security program to accelerate stunting reduction was organized by the Ministry of State Secretariat of Indonesia.

Hundred of participants attended the virtual event, including line ministries, governors, regents, mayors, and village heads in Indonesia.

"Mr. Misran was the only village head in South Kalimantan who was a speaker at the national event," said Iwan, head of Village Economics of the Tapin PMD Agency.