Agrianita IPB University and DWP Kemdiktisaintek Promote the Women’s Movement for Sustainable Food Security
As part of the 2026 Kartini Day celebrations, Agrianita IPB University, together with the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), held an event titled “From Garden to Movement: Women’s Movement for Sustainable Food Security” at the IPB Dramaga Campus (5/21).
The Chair of Agrianita IPB University, Suci Nur Aini Zaida, described this event as part of the Kartini Day 2026 series. The event featured various educational activities, ranging from visits to productive gardens, lectures on food security, cooking and fruit-vegetable arrangement contests, to health screenings such as blood pressure, blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol checks.
Suci hopes this event does not end as a mere ceremony. “We hope this event serves as a lesson that food security can begin in the smallest spaces backyards, families, and communities,” she said.
On that occasion, Advisor to the DWP of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Levy Olivia Brian Yuliarto, emphasized that food security cannot be separated from the role of the family as the smallest unit.
“At the very least, we can start growing chili peppers or tomatoes at home. Through this, we not only learn about food but also teach our children about the process that nothing happens overnight; everything requires time and perseverance,” she said.
She also highlighted that limited land is no longer a barrier, thanks to innovations like tower gardens and wall gardens that allow people to continue farming in small spaces. In her view, the habit of growing plants not only impacts food availability but also fosters character traits like patience and responsibility.
Similarly, Vice Chairperson II of the DWP at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), Fitri Arnia Khairul Munadi, believes that women-led backyard gardening initiatives play a strategic role in strengthening national food security.
“A nation’s food security is not determined solely by the extent of its agricultural land, but also by what is served on the family dinner table every day. Through this movement, we aim to transform previously idle home gardens into active, healthy, and self sufficient sources of food,” she said.
She added that the collaboration between IPB University and DWP Kemdiktisaintek brings together the strengths of research and innovation with a broad network of women.
“When the knowledge and innovation of IPB meet the driving force of DWP, we are building a real bastion of national resilience,” she said.
Through this initiative, the women led food security movement is expected to continue growing, not only on campus but also extending to families and the broader community. (AS) (IAAS/EPK)
