TEGAL, CENTRAL JAVA — Encouraging the spirit of young farmers, Dompet Dhuafa presents a Premium Melon Cultivation Greenhouse in Slawi, Tegal, Central Java. The Dompet Dhuafa program collaborates with Misbahul Huda Al-Amiriyyah Islamic Boarding School and SMK Negeri 2 Slawi. In August, the program successfully held the first harvest of Premium Melon Cultivation. This marks an important achievement in the effort to empower the younger generation through innovative and sustainable agriculture.
The economic empowerment program mobilizes the potential of young farmers through intensive training, guidance, and access to modern agricultural technology. Through this program, Dompet Dhuafa continues to optimize the potential of the younger generation and help them become successful agricultural business actors. Of course, while improving the quality and productivity of agriculture in the area with the local young generation.
One of the young farmers who participated in the program, Barep Arkan Adiyatma, said, “Being able to be involved in this program is a very memorable experience for me. Because in addition to increasing income for those of us who are students, this program provides me with a means to implement and develop the knowledge learned in class. Moreover, the cultivation methods used are not conventional methods that are vulnerable to weather changes and pest infestation”.
Historic Moment of First Harvest
The first harvest of the premium melon was a meaningful moment for the young farmers involved. The support of Dompet Dhuafa and the management partners of Rumah Sosial Kutub is one of the keys to young farmers successfully proving their abilities. This time the young farmers were able to produce high-quality melons with sweet net types that were ready to be marketed. The event was attended by various parties, including representatives of Dompet Dhuafa, young farmers, partners and related stakeholders.
Dompet Dhuafa Central Java Branch Manager, Zaini Tafrikhan stated that the economic empowerment program based on Premium Melon cultivation is a breakthrough taken to empower the community in the modern agricultural sector. “Agro EduWisata Cultivation of Premium Melon is one of our latest programs in the modern agricultural sector. By involving academics who give them the freedom to apply their knowledge directly. Of course the hope is to make the knowledge claimants here self-sufficient, and provide a laboratory for them to develop their knowledge. And alhamdulillah, it has produced a very high quality harvest in its first harvest,” said Zaini.
The success of the first harvest is expected to expand the program and bring wider benefits to the agricultural community in Central Java. Because Dompet Dhuafa is committed to continuing to support and develop economic empowerment programs. With the aim of reaching more young farmers and increasing the positive impact on the community. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Khalida Wadhah (Dompet Dhuafa Central Java)
Editor: Taufan YN