IPB University’s TEP Holds Training and Practical Sessions on Hydroponic Lettuce Cultivation in the Salor Transmigration Area
The IPB University Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) provided guidance on hydroponic cultivation in Candra Jaya Village, Kurik District, Merauke Regency, South Papua. The activity was attended by women from the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) groups in Harapan Makmur, Candra Jaya, Kurik, Wonorejo, and Salor Indah villages, as well as members of Persit Yonif TP 801/Nduka Adyatama Yudha (NAY).
This activity is part of efforts to strengthen human resources (HR) through the utilization of agricultural technologies that can be applied in community settings. Hydroponic farming serves as an alternative for producing vegetables on limited land, particularly in adapting to varying environmental conditions and seasons.
The mentoring program was conducted by the TEP team from IPB University, led by Ir Supriyanto, STP, MKom, PhD, along with team members Tedi Zulia Putra, SHut.; An Husaini Hadiarrahman, STrBns.; M Zulham Azhar Maghfirah H, ST; Ifa Khofifah, SSi; and Kuzaima Taqiyya Azqa Nabila Faza, SP.
The Chief of Candra Jaya Village, Aris Rahmadi, welcomed the initiative. According to him, hydroponics offers an alternative cultivation method that the community can adopt, especially during the dry season.
“We welcome this hydroponics training because it provides the community with an alternative planting method they can adopt, especially during the dry season,” said Aris.
During the event, participants received instruction and hands on training on the stages of hydroponic cultivation, ranging from seed sowing, the preparation and use of AB Mix nutrients, the transplanting process, maintenance, to harvesting. Participants also practiced making yellow traps as one method of pest control.
One of the crops discussed during the event was lettuce. According to Eko Yuli Suryatiningsih, the owner of a hydroponic farm, the quality of hydroponically grown lettuce has received positive feedback from consumers.
“Consumers say that hydroponically grown lettuce has a crisper texture and a less bitter taste compared to lettuce grown in soil,” said Eko Yuli
Suharti, Chairwoman of the Salor Indah PKK, also noted that the training content aligned with community needs, particularly for PKK members who are currently developing hydroponic systems in their area.
“We are currently building a hydroponic system next to the Salor Indah Village Hall. We hope this training will be beneficial and serve as a foundation for the future development of this system,” she said.
This activity in Candra Jaya Village is part of IPB University’s TEP initiative to strengthen community capacity through the application of agricultural technology. The collaboration with the village government, the PKK, and Persit is expected to promote the sustainability of hydroponic practices in line with the needs of the community in the Salor Transmigration Area. (*/Rz) (IAAS/WSG)
