Cultivation of Rice-Substitute Crops Being Intensified

The Chairwoman of the North Jakarta Family Welfare Empowerment (TP PKK) Team, Fida Hendra, has called on all stakeholders in North Jakarta to intensify the cultivation of food crops that serve as alternatives to rice.

Sustainable alternative source of carbohydrates

Fida stated that the Planting Rice-Alternative Food Crops campaign was carried out today across North Jakarta, taking place at 70 locations. The ceremonial event was centered at Lovely Garden on Jalan Mandor Iren, Sunter Jaya Urban Village, Tanjung Priok District.

Simultaneous Planting in East Jakarta Held at 112 Locations

The planting initiative utilizes an area of ​​6,050.5 square meters. Various supplementary food crops are being grown, including glutinous corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, edamame, bananas, and butternut squash.

"We cultivate various supplementary food crops as an effort to strengthen family food security," she said, Monday (8/31).

Planting activities were carried out today at 15 locations in Cilincing District, 10 in Koja District, 11 in Kelapa Gading District, 20 in Tanjung Priok District, and seven each in Pademangan and Penjaringan Districts.

"I extend my gratitude to the North Jakarta Food Security, Marine, and Agriculture (KPKP) Sub-agency for providing assistance in the form of 1,200 glutinous corn seedlings, 1,200 edamame seedlings, 600 cassava cuttings, and 600 sweet potato cuttings," she admitted.

Lovely Garden was selected as the hub for activities due to its unique concept. In addition to serving as a green open space and an urban farming area, the site functions as an educational park and an inclusive park for children with special needs.

"Here, children with disabilities learn to cultivate crops as a way to foster independence. Interestingly, today's harvest is also transformed by their own creative hands into food and beverage products," she stated.

Meanwhile, Head of North Jakarta KPKP Sub-agency, Novy Christine Palit said this movement aims to reduce public reliance on rice and encourage the diversification of local food sources.

"We would like to introduce a healthier and more sustainable alternative source of carbohydrates," she said.

Novy added that the initiative also serves as a proactive measure to address threats posed by extreme weather and disruptions to food distribution. Furthermore, the planting drive is expected to help maintain price stability for basic commodities in the market.

In addition to planting, the activity also involved harvesting 35 kilograms of bananas, 35 kilograms of purple sweet potatoes, 15 kilograms of cassava, and various types of vegetables, such as bok choy, water spinach, Brazilian spinach, and chili.