Beritabenua.com – Urban Farming in Bandung Supports City Food Independence

Introduction

The growth of urban populations around the world has transformed the urban landscape into an important center of economic, social, and cultural activities. Along with this development, the challenges of environmental sustainability and public welfare are increasingly complex, requiring innovative solutions that can integrate economic, social, and environmental aspects (Suryandari, 2010).

In this context, urban farming emerges as an interesting alternative to address these challenges. Urban farming, which is the practice of farming and livestock farming in and around cities, has great potential to make a positive contribution to creating sustainable cities. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), urban farming contributes around 15-20% of the global food supply, indicating a significant role in meeting the food needs of urban residents. In addition, a survey conducted by the RUAF Foundation showed that new adaptations of urban farming in several large cities such as Hanoi, Shanghai, and Accra provide up to 90% of fresh vegetable consumption, confirming the vital role of urban farming in ensuring the availability of quality local food (Veenhuizen and Danso, 2007).

New adaptations of urban farming have been carried out in various countries. Indonesia is one of the countries that implements this activity, especially in the Bandung City area which is the most successful area in carrying out new adaptations of urban farming (Setiawan, T., 2024).

As a metropolitan city with a population of 2.57 million people and also the capital of West Java province, Bandung City has experienced massive land conversion. Open land that was previously used for agriculture has now been transformed into buildings and various other infrastructure. At the same time, the main food needs of Bandung City such as rice, meat, vegetables, and fruits are now very dependent on supplies from outside the region. Therefore, food independence is an urgent matter in the Flower City (Haqi, M., 2023).

One of the community empowerment programs promoted by the Bandung City Agriculture and Food Security Service (Dispangtan) is by implementing the concept of urban farming as a solution to family food security while utilizing empty land. The Bandung City Government continues to encourage residents to use their home land more productively. One way is to utilize it through integrated urban farming. The Bandung City Government has inaugurated the Buruan SAE (Healthy, Natural and Economical) program by creating several pilot locations. Of course, this really needs support from various stakeholders to make the program a success, because public awareness in general is still low regarding the urban farming program (Rumidatul, et., al., 2022).

Food Independence through SAE's Buruan Program

Responding to the problem of food insecurity, the Bandung City Government has introduced an urban farming innovation program called "Buruan SAE". Buruan SAE is an innovative development program from the concept of urban farming. In Sundanese, buruan means yard or yard. While SAE is an acronym for Healthy, Natural, and Economical.

In urban agricultural governance, the term urban farming is not new. However, through Buruan SAE, urban farming practices are made more integrative. If urban farming activities generally focus on vegetable gardening, Buruan SAE integrates agricultural activities with livestock, fisheries, family medicinal plants, fruits, and waste management into organic fertilizer (composting).

The concept of integrated urban agriculture from Buruan SAE is an effort to build a sustainable urban food security system. Buruan SAE has been running since 2020, and every year there are always new groups added in each sub-district. In 2022, there will be 335 groups spread across 151 sub-districts. The goal is none other than to realize food independence.

"At least in every sub-district in Bandung City now there is a representative of the Buruan SAE group. In 2023 there will be 50 new Buruan SAE groups formed by the Bandung City DKPP," said the Head of the Bandung City Food Security and Agriculture Service (DKPP), Gin Gin Ginanjar, in an interview in March 2023.

In the formation of the new Buruan SAE group, the Bandung City Government through the DKPP provided a stimulus package in the form of urban farming equipment for compost management, planting media, seedlings, seeds, laying hens, and catfish seeds, the funds for which came from the Bandung City Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD). The new group will also be given socialization and assistance. For your information, the DKPP has assistants and extension workers in every sub-district in Bandung City (Haqi, M., 2023).

With the new urban farming adaptation program Buruan Sae initiated by the Bandung City Food and Agriculture Service, which is aimed at overcoming food problems in the city of Bandung by utilizing existing yards or land by gardening to meet the food needs of families and the surrounding community. Some Buruan Sae that have carried out new urban farming adaptations include: Buruan Sae Al Hidayah, Buruan Sae Gending Mas, and Buruan Sae KWT Cigiringsing (Food and Agriculture Service, 2021).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Urban Farming Program Policy

Through new adaptations of urban farming, it is expected to improve aspects of sustainability such as food security, sustainable agriculture, community involvement, and environmental protection can be realized. New adaptations of urban farming not only provide access to fresh agricultural products for local communities, but also promote environmentally friendly agricultural practices by using organic fertilizers.

Through the promotion of food security, sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and environmental protection, these activities serve as concrete examples of how local community actions can positively impact broader global sustainability goals, such as the Buruan Sae Gending Mas Program, KWT Cigiringsing, and AlHidayah are designed to engage vulnerable local communities, such as smallholder farmers, women, and youth. Communities in these areas generally have limited access to nutritious and adequate food. By engaging them in new adaptations of urban farming, it is hoped that they can improve their economic well-being and access to quality food.

In terms of economy, the new adaptation of urban farming is expected to create new jobs for local communities, especially for small farmers, women, and youth. By increasing the production and marketing of agricultural products, it is expected to make a positive contribution to the local economy and reduce unemployment rates. In the environmental context, the use of environmentally friendly organic farming techniques is the main focus of this activity. By paying attention to environmental sustainability, such as organic waste management and natural resource conservation, this activity is expected to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and help mitigate climate change. By integrating physical, social, economic, and environmental aspects in urban farming, it is expected to create a sustainable impact on local communities and the surrounding environment (Setiawan, T., 2024).

Despite its great potential, urban farming also faces various problems that need to be overcome. Limited land that is vulnerable to conversion into residential or commercial areas is one of the main obstacles in the development of urban farming. The area of urban farming land that is increasingly shrinking due to infrastructure development is a challenge for urban farming (Indraprahasta, 2013). In addition, limited access to land, water, and financial support from local governments is also a challenge in increasing urban farming productivity. To overcome these challenges, concrete steps are needed to support urban farming where local governments need to provide greater support in terms of access to resources, agricultural technology training, and development of urban farming infrastructure. In addition, cooperation between the government, local communities, and the private sector is also important to promote urban farming as a solution for food security and sustainable livelihoods for urban residents (Gunawan et al., 2021).

Relevance and Future Prospects

Economic problems are the biggest problems that occur in every country including Indonesia. In Indonesia, the problem is not only how to increase economic growth, but also how to ensure that economic growth can be evenly distributed across each island. Uneven economic growth will cause inequality in the rate of economic growth and inequality in the level of community income which will ultimately have an impact on social and cultural changes in Indonesian society (Arsal, 2020), through urban farming policies it is hoped that it will be able to overcome economic problems in society. Urban Farming Mix SAE has great potential to be a model for other cities that want to develop urban agriculture. With good management, this policy can not only increase food security, but also become a catalyst for more positive environmental and social change. To overcome the existing challenges, closer collaboration is needed between the government, the private sector, and the community, especially in providing technology and funding, so that this program can run optimally and sustainably. As stated by the 13th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma'ruf Amin, where he praised the Buruan SAE (Healthy, Natural, Economical) program which is being intensified by the Bandung City Government (Pemkot). The Vice President even asked other regions to adopt the Buruan SAE of Bandung City.

The city of Bandung, with the creativity of its citizens, has a great opportunity to make Urban Farming Buruan SAE a successful example in realizing a green, healthy, and food independent city.