KWT Desa Binangun and IPB University Students Initiate Potkobu Innovation
In Kondangjajar Village, Pangandaran, West Java, a new ray of hope for realizing food independence and environmental sustainability has begun to grow. Thanks to the Communal Pot of Spices (Potkobu) program initiated by IPB University’s Innovation Thematic-Real Work Lecture (KKNT) students together with the Binangun Village Women Farmers Group (KWT), now the villagers’ yards are decorated with pots of fresh and lush herbs.
One of the KKNT Innovation IPB University team members, Aqila Fadiya Irawan explained, Potkobu is an innovative program that aims to improve food security and preserve the environment in Kondangjajar Village.
“This program is motivated by the concerns of KKNT Innovation IPB University students towards the dependence of the village community on the market to meet their kitchen spice needs,” she explained.
Together with KWT Desa Binangun, she and the KKNT Innovation IPB University team initiated the Potkobu program by distributing communal pots to villagers. These pots were then filled with seeds of kitchen herbs, such as bok choy, chili, and spinach varieties of IPB University.
“The selection of kitchen spice plants is not without reason. Bok Choy, chili, and spinach are plants that are easy to plant and maintain, and have high economic value. In addition, the IPB variety of spinach is a superior variety developed by IPB University experts with better pest and disease resistance, and more abundant yields,” said Aqila.
In addition, she continued, the Potkobu program not only provides access to villagers to grow their own herbs, but also instills awareness of the importance of preserving the environment. The communal pots used are made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles and used cans.
KKNT Innovation IPB University students also provide training to the villagers on how to plant and maintain herbs using organic methods, thus minimizing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that are harmful to the environment.
“The enthusiasm of the villagers for the Potkobu program is very high. Many villagers welcomed the program and started planting herbs in their yards. This shows that the people of Kondangjajar village have the awareness and willingness to live independently and preserve the environment,” Aqila said.
According to her, the success story of the Potkobu program in Kondangjajar Village is an inspiration for other villages in Indonesia to conduct similar programs. This program shows that with collaboration, creativity, and hard work, a small village can achieve food independence and environmental sustainability. (*/Rz) (IAAS/PRO)
