Urban Farming in Narrow Land is Easier with BRI Peduli Inspirasi Bertani di Kota (BRInita)

Kapanlagi.com - Through real programs for environmental ecosystem improvement, BRI continues to show its commitment to implementing social and environmental responsibility. One of them is through the BRI Peduli Bertani di Kota or BRInita program. What is it?

BRInita is a farming concept that utilizes narrow land in densely populated areas. Since its launch in early 2022, this program has gradually been implemented in eighteen (18) cities in Indonesia and has had an impact on the surrounding communities.

One of them is the Kosagrha Lestari Business Group in Medokan Ayu Village, Surabaya City, East Java. Curious about the results? Check out the complete review below!

Success in Empowering Group Members and the Surrounding Community

Pridha Nashari Rahmatika, the head of the Kosagrha Lestari group, said that the BRInita program from BRI Peduli has successfully empowered group members and the surrounding community. This program has become a positive platform for group members to green the environment and provide economic benefits.

Moreover, the majority of the group members are elderly women. This makes them have activities together to fill their spare time. Frida, a housewife blessed with 3 children, tells in the past, residents once received compost training from one of the universities.

This group finally made up their minds to do farming. An 800 square meter sleeping land in the middle of the housing complex is prepared to become a vegetable garden. "This land is a public facility (fasum), and there is a deserted green house for fifteen (15) years. We revive it as urban farming infrastructure for farming," said Prida.

Good vegetable and fruit harvests do not immediately make them satisfied. They have a vision to increase the selling value of their farming results. Some vegetables and fruits are processed into further products such as juice and others. As time goes by, the types of vegetables and fruits grown are increasing, such as eggplant, tomato, gambas, honey pumpkin, lettuce, pokcoy, cauliflower, melon, and fishery products such as catfish and tilapia.

Further Development with BRI's Assistance

The business development carried out by the Kosagrha Lestari business group is growing when the farmer group receives assistance from BRI through the Social and Environmental Responsibility program (TJSL) or BRI Cares, BRI provides urban farming assistance for the Kosagrha Lestari business group.

The assistance provided includes agricultural tools, plants, and urban farming supporting infrastructure. "Of course, we are very happy, after going through the selection process, we were chosen." Especially since we started this business from scratch, with a small capital. Now we have a target for our vegetable products to compete in supermarkets. This will also help the economy of the members," he added.

BRI Corporate Secretary Agustya Hendy Bernadi said that BRInita is a form of BRI's concern and responsibility in supporting environmental sustainability, especially in densely populated areas. In its implementation, the BRInita program is carried out in various regions of Indonesia, involving the BRI Women's Association (IWABRI) as a mentor and gradually implemented in 18 BRI Regional Offices (RO) in Indonesia.

Not only infrastructure assistance, but BRI also provides guidance to beneficiaries through training in urban farming by collaborating with experts/related agencies and conducting periodic mentoring. This is expected to increase economic value such as sales, management, packaging, and marketing.

He added that the BRInita program is expected to provide economic value to households, enhance the beauty of the environment, and provide additional beneficial activities for mothers and communities living in densely populated areas.

"Hopefully, the story of the Kosagrha Lestari Business Group can be an inspirational story that can be replicated in other areas of Indonesia. BRI continues to fulfill its commitment to social and environmental responsibility by implementing programs that can effectively promote environmental ecosystem improvement," he emphasized.

(kly/tmi)