EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH HYDROPONIC FARMING AS A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO FOOD SECURITY IN URBAN INDONESIA

Abstract

Food security has become a strategic issue in urban Indonesia as agricultural land continues to shrink due to housing, infrastructure, and development projects. This condition has led to the heavy dependence of major cities, such as Jakarta, on vegetable supplies from surrounding regions. At the same time, the demand for healthy, fresh, and pesticide-free vegetables is increasing, in line with government campaigns on balanced nutrition and efforts to reduce stunting. However, previous studies have mostly focused on the technical aspects of hydroponic farming or short-term economic impacts, while research connecting hydroponics with community empowerment strategies for urban food self-sufficiency remains limited. This study employed a participatory approach through training, mentoring, and demonstration of simple hydroponic installations. Respondents were recruited using snowball sampling, involving households, neighborhood communities, schools, and universities. The findings reveal that hydroponics not only produces fresher, longer-lasting, and pesticide-free vegetables but also functions as a tool for empowerment by enhancing skills, strengthening community solidarity, and creating economic opportunities through the sale of vegetables and hydroponic installations. The study implies that hydroponics can serve as a sustainable strategy to address urban food security challenges while fostering micro-level food resilience at the household, school, and community levels.