UNAIR NEWS – Students from various faculties of Universitas Airlangga change the reputation of Dolly ex-localization area located in Pakis Sidokumpul sub-district, Surabaya. They encouraged local residents to plant hydroponics plants in densely populated areas.

The four students, Fitria Budiarti, Nina Agustina, Enis Rezqi Maulida, and Nelza Manora Veronica proposed the concept of Green Wall Training in the proposal of creativity program of students of community service (PKM-M).

PKM-M’s proposal entitled “Green Wall Training as Green Village Development Effort to Change the Dolly People’s Reputation” has successfully passed the funding selection of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education in 2017.

“People are making adjustments to Dolly’s closure. However, the negative reputation about Dolly has not changed. Therefore, we want to develop a green village as an effort to change the image of Dolly, “said Fitria.

Due to limited land in the area of ​​Pakis, they use hydroponic methods in planting vegetables and fruits. In the green wall training program , they divided the residents into three groups of growers.

The first group planted green spinach and red spinach, the second group planted the mustard greens and lettuce, while the third group planted river spinach and pakcoy.

“The selection of vegetables have been determined based on the fastest period for harvesting crops. The six vegetables are targeted to be ready to be harvested within a month, “added Fitria.

Fitria added, the time span is planned based on the harvest of the plant. In the first week, students and residents sow seeds to grow. One month later, the plant will be moved on a specified medium.

The media used also varied according to the ability and desire of local residents among them in the form of buckets, used mineral water bottles, and water pipes.

“All media have advantages and disadvantages of each. At the beginning of the training we have explained thoroughly. The decision was made based on the ability of mothers in caring for the plants later, “said Fitria who is also a student of S-1 Program of Nursing.

Hopefully, with the green wall training program, local residents can meet the basic needs of families independently. In addition, green wall training programs can help achieving food security in Indonesia.

Editor: Defrina Sukma S