Urban farming initiatives expand in Semarang and Magelang

Local governments in Semarang and Magelang are promoting urban farming to address land scarcity and strengthen food security.

In Semarang, Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti is encouraging residents to utilize limited spaces through productive cultivation. During a sweet potato harvest in the Pudakpayung area, she emphasized the importance of diversifying food sources beyond rice by utilizing local carbohydrates like cassava and corn. The city currently supports 199 urban farming groups and 105 food crop groups.

In Magelang, Mayor Damar Prasetyono highlighted a successful collaboration between the city government and Tidar University (Untidar). This partnership has implemented smart farming innovations in the Kedungsari area to optimize 3.72 hectares of idle land. The program includes solar-powered smart greenhouses with drip irrigation, aquaponics, and the use of eco-enzymes for organic waste management. Additionally, a digital platform named PanenKU has been launched to assist with the recording and marketing of harvests.