By: Makson Rangga Ndima.     

I joined Stube-HEMAT in 2015 when I was studying at Wira Wacana Christian University, Sumba. When I joined Stube  HEMAT at the first time, I was passively involved the activities held. After finishing my study in 2019, I participated again in training activities organized by Stube-HEMAT focusing on agriculture which I learned from what Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara, a multiplicator in the field of agriculture in Sumba, posted in social media. I was interested because this activity is matching with my hobby, I love to be a farmer.

My first understanding about agriculture is the agricultural products such as corn, peanuts, green beans, and cassava that are cultivated to meet the family's food needs. However, the training held by Stube-HEMAT helped me to change my mindset, whereas the main goal of cultivating horticulture crops is not only to supply the family's food needs but also to improve the family's economy because of their economic value.

I learned some new things by working with various competent parties and some agriculture experts: 1) I know the science related to how to cultivate horticultural crops, starting from recognizing the soil as a medium for plant growth including soil characteristics, measuring and finding out which soil PH is appropriate for plants,  seeding methods, being care for plants so they can produce their best quality, recognizing plant variants that fit on certain types of soil characters, recognizing plant pests and how to deal with them, marketing, mapping the market opportunities and handling post-harvest products; 2) Young people can recognize their potency as agents of change to be productive since they’re young, especially when they love the profession as a farmer by applying the principles of hard works, and work thoroughly. It can create self-reliance and food security in Sumba to be independent from commodity supplies coming from outside the Sumba island; 3) I am getting more familiar with utilizing technology as innovation creativity to increase the quantity and quality of horticultural products that can compete in the local market and to increase the effectivity and efficiency of time, energy and cost and even to expand the land development, 4) At this stage, I’m able to cultivate horticultural crops such as tomatoes, bitter melon, eggplant, cucumber and finally to cultivate Lokananta F1 type shallots with red arrows brand.

Thank you Stube-HEMAT, thank you the sponsors, and thank you all good people for their ways to be a blessing for Sumba. Long live the young Sumbanese farmer!