Harvesting Gustavi F1 tomatoes and planting Dewata 76 F1 chilies         

What are farmers waiting for the most? The answer is the harvesting time! The Multiplication of Stube HEMAT collaborated with the 'Tunas Baru' group carried out a symbolic harvest of Gustavi F1 tomatoes and planted Dewata 76 F1 chilies at the same time. The activity is not just an annual event but also campaigned a new perspective to see the agricultural sector as a key sector for food security, and growing work motivation to cultivate the potency of land and water resources in Sumba. The most important is how to farm in new and practical ways.

This activity took place at the Horticultural Agriculture Study Center (Saturday, February 25, 2023). The opening and welcoming ceremony took place indoors, then followed by symbolic harvest at the rice fields. East Sumba Regent, Drs. Khristofel Praing, M.Sc is a key figure in the symbolic harvesting of Gustavi F1 tomatoes and intercropping system planting of Dewata 76 F1 chilies, that’s supported by elements of the Representatives of East Sumba Regency, East Sumba Police Chief, Dandim 1601, Agriculture Service of East Sumba Regency, Coordinator of Red Arrow in Sumba, financial institutions (BRI, Swastisari Cooperative), Lambanapu BP3K, the head of Kambera District, Malumbi Sub-District Head, Lambanapu Sub-District Head, community leaders, members of young farmers and several other farmers.

In his speech, the Regent of East Sumba expressed his support for the symbolic harvesting activities by the 'Tunas Baru' farmer group, "We need a community that is proactive in helping the government create food security. I am proud that there are youngsters from Lambanapu who want to farm in the newest ways.” Furthermore, Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara, the leader of the 'Tunas Baru' farmer group and Multiplicator Stube-HEMAT said, "Symbolic harvesting is not just a harvesting activity, but an education for other farmers, that millennial farmers will introduce some simple innovations that make farming activities easier, such as simple drip irrigation for watering plants, gravity fertilization, watering system fertilization, and intercropping system planting."

This activity will be carried out not only in Lambanapu, Kambera district but also in other districts in the East Sumba regency. This symbolic harvest in Lambanapu became a model (pilot project) and the audience could adopt and replicate it in their own districts. Let us move together for food security in Sumba. ***