IPB University KKNT Innovation Team Introduces Potkombu in Kalensari Village, a Solution for Food Independence on Narrow Land
Pot Komunal Bumbu or Potkombu is one of the programs carried out by the IPB University Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKNT) team. This activity was carried out in Kalensari Village, Widasari District, Indramayu Regency, West Java.
The implementation of the program was carried out in collaboration with members of the Kalensari Village Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK). This activity was attended by 15 housewives who were also members of the PKK.
“Potkombu is an innovation done by planting more than two types of plant commodities in one pot or polybag. This planting technique does not require a large area of land so that it can be done to utilize a narrow home yard by planting medicinal plants and spices,” said Raudhina Fadla Rizky, KKNT Innovation IPB University student.
She elaborated, commodities commonly used such as ginger, turmeric, kencur, lemongrass, chili, and other spices. These commodities are commonly used as ingredients for making dishes as well as traditional medicines / herbs, especially by mothers.
“Potkombu is an alternative that can be done by housewives to start farming independently to save household expenses. In addition, Potkombu commodities can also be harvested regularly and are safe for consumption so that they can be used as a living pharmacy,” she added.
She added that the implementation of the program included planting demonstrations, material presentation, and prize distribution for women who actively asked and answered questions.
The planting media used were soil, husk charcoal, and dolomite. During the practice, the women planted herbs in groups in one polybag. Each polybag was filled with three types of plants, including ginger, kencur, lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal.
The enthusiasm for this Potkombu activity can be seen from the activeness of the women during the event and also the high attention to the presenters. Every mother who asked questions was given a prize and everyone who came received a goodie bag containing a knife set and herbal medicine. This herbal medicine gift was given as an example of the utilization of spice or medicinal plants that have been planted before.
“This activity is very good to learn and apply in our respective homes so that we can have a ‘living pharmacy’ at home,” said Amilia, one of the PKK members when expressing her impression of this activity.
The utilization of the Potkombu technique is expected to arouse the enthusiasm of PKK women to return to cultivating medicinal plants or spices to meet the needs of cooking ingredients as well as medicine.
“Alhamdulillah, this Potkombu activity can remind us to return to diligent planting,” said Juniarti, the mother of the Kalensari Village Kuwu. (*/Rz) (IAAS/SNI)
