Photo: Two female members of the Kampung Bayam Madani farmer group pose with their produce
JAKARTA – Muhammad Furqon could say farming’s in his blood. As the leading member of Kampung Bayam Madani farmer group in North Jakarta, he bases his work on a family tradition that preserves natural planting techniques and does not use chemical fertilizers.
“[My group and I], we never used chemical fertilizers growing up, but it’s not that we’re against them. [What we’re doing] is honoring our parents’ methods, [because] we believe they’re healthy [for the plants],” said the man, who goes by Furqon.
Organic farming is more than a time-honored heritage for him, who sees it as a health-conscious, sustainable practice. His experience and the benefits he derives from it cement his desire to continue this custom.
Furqon and his team apply this system of natural agriculture to a wide range of crops, including cabbage, Chinese kale, cauliflower, and spinach. Once harvested, these produce are distributed to other residents in Kampung Bayam Madani for personal consumption or trade at competitive prices.
“We’re currently selling to local moms and groups, but we used to supply vendors at big [traditional] markets.”
In the past few months, the group has harvested large quantities of long beans (7 quintals), corn (4 quintals), and other vegetables, in addition to dozens of kilograms of freshwater fish.
Photo: Farmer group leader Muhammad Furqon praises Korindo Foundation’s support, which has funded their communal kitchen, waste recycling site, and polybag provision initiative
Kampung Bayam Madani farmer group is working to maintain food security and had been operating independently until Korindo Group, through its Foundation, showed support. Their budding connection with the Foundation — currently the community’s sole corporate partner — soon became a turning point.
This support has now funded a communal kitchen, waste recycling site, and polybag provision initiative. The latter aims to address the lack of this planting medium, which has been impeding farming activities.
Such facilities allow farmers to start maximizing the available land. One way they tackled the issue of limited space and infrastructure was using polybags to hold eggplant and melon seedlings.
Their years of perseverance demonstrate the robustness of organic agriculture, even amid land constraints and urbanization pressures. More than a system, it’s a form of resistance; a way for farmers to safeguard their identity amid the surge of modernization. (PR)
