BANJAR, WEST JAVA – Sowing the spirit of community empowerment, Dompet Dhuafa together with the Islamic Spirituality (ROIS) of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) held the Greenhouse Inauguration and Hydroponic Melon Harvest in Bojongkantong Village, Langensari District, Banjar, which was intended for the Langensari Hydroponic Melon Farmer Group, Tuesday (20/01/2025).
Melon Hydroponics itself is a program resulting from Dompet Dhuafa’s collaboration with young farmers in the Langensari area that has existed since 2023. Along with the development of this program, ROIS OJK also contributed to launching three Greenhouse units with a capacity of 1000-1200 melons each.
On a joyful morning, the Head of the Dompet Dhuafa Empowerment Program Division, Armie Robi, together with the Head of the Bojongkantong Village Head, Yeni Irmawati, conducted the inauguration of the Greenhouse which was warmly welcomed by the beneficiaries and local residents. According to Yeni, regarding food agriculture in her area, hydroponic melons are something new and have economically satisfying results.
“Hydroponic melon farming does have good results with high selling prices compared to other food farmers. Most of the people who consume it are local residents here. So this is a very good thing, especially as we approach the month of Ramadan,” said Yeni.
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Armie said that this program targets 10 beneficiaries who are members of the Langensari Melon Farmer Group. Later, this program is sustainable to support the expansion of market networks and strengthening of production, such as providing rental land and strengthening the capacity of farmers through mentoring.
“Hopefully, this program can increase the capacity of melon farmers, both in terms of knowledge, skills, and welfare. We hope that the 10 beneficiaries today can grow to create new land and become role models for other farmers,” said Armi.
The head of Langensari Hydroponic Melon Farmer, Ellan Maulana, shared the economic impact he and his group have felt. One greenhouse generates a turnover of 20 million per month or more. The turnover will be divided 40:60, 40% for the income of the managing farmers, while 60% is divided for the group and set aside for capital turnover and planting operations for the next cycle.
Although the operational cost is high, it is in line with the melons produced. The hydroponic system itself focuses on quality consistency in melons. Ellan and his group grow Honeydew and Sweet Net melons. They can harvest four times a year. This system relies on technology in the irrigation process. This results in faster melon growth and less chemical nutrient pollution for the environment.
“First, we maintain quality rather than quantity. Unlike conventional farming, which prioritizes the weight and number of melons, the hydroponic system using the Greenhouse focuses on producing sweeter melons with a more precise shape. With this Greenhouse procurement initiative by ROIS OJK and Dompet Dhuafa, it can certainly help us increase production and the welfare of farmers,” said Ellan.
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One of the young melon farmers, Robet Analida (26) showed great enthusiasm at the Greenhouse inauguration event. Robet aspires to become a hydroponic melon farmer who is able to own his own land. He said that since joining the Langensari Melon Farmer Group, he has been able to earn his own money without relying on his parents. The addition of three greenhouses is happy news for him.
“I am proud to be a melon farmer. This profession makes me financially independent, no longer dependent on my parents. Of course, this supports my aspirations. In the future, I want to buy more land for melon farming and others. With the three Greenhouse units from ROIS OJK and Dompet Dhuafa, I thank you very much,” said Robet excitedly. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Photo: Hany Fatihah Ahmad, Dedi Fadlil
Editor: Dhika