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! 

By Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara.     

The productive activities of Sumba Young Farmers still continue, although they are in unlucky condition because of hot climatic condition and high level of pest attacks. To support the entrepreneurial spirit of young farmers, the Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Sumba held a discussion how to establish a business with the topic of ‘The Collaboration of Young Farmers with a Finance Institution’.

The activity was held in Lambanapu, a Center for Horticultural Studies Stube-HEMAT (12/09/2021). In this training, there were young people from students, church youth and some young people who had just graduated and decided to deal with agriculture.

The objective of this training is for the young farmers to build relations with finance agencies in terms of capital loans for business development in horticultural agriculture and their management. Until now, the young farmer community has built cooperative relationships with several parties, such as with the seeds division of PT East-West Seed Indonesia with the Red Arrow brand, the pest and disease division, pesticide division (DGW, Nufarm, Petro Kimia), the Agriculture Office of East Sumba regency, academics from University of Christian Wira Wacana Sumba, key farmers and distributors of agricultural goods in Sumba.

As time goes, the young farmers continue their collaboration to improve their expertise in agriculture fields. It will help them to rise to be professional farmers and to be heroes of food security for Sumba island. ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd.     

Digital literacy is one of the efforts to increase knowledge of digital technology for women. Moreover, during the Covid-19 pandemic like now, the women are required to work harder than before because besides working at home, they should be able to perform as mothers and teachers for their children who study online at home. What a pity if women today do not understand the media, because digital media could help women to educate and to teach their children. In addition, the media can also help women to do business to support the family's economic life.

In response to this, the women of the weaving group gathered to learn how to create social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, using Google, a Youtube channel for the weaving group (Monday, 30/08/2021). They were accompanied by Elisabeth Uru Ndaya and the name of their Youtube channel of the weaving group is ‘Kawara Panamung’ having a meaning of embracing each other. The channel contains content on women's activities in Sumba, such as the process of producing woven cloth and the Sumba women’s daily lives. They were so enthusiastic about learning and creating social media accounts because most of them had gadgets that made it easier for them to create their accounts.

The interesting thing they learned was the use and optimize of Google and Youtube. Katrin Njola, one of the participants said, “This is the first time I know Google and Youtube. It turns out through this media I can learn all things we want to know, for example, if my children learn from Google, they can be smart,” she said. The media can help them to find the knowledge they want to know, even as a tool to find learning materials for their children, cooking recipes, and many more uses of digital media. During the activity, Elisabeth Uru Ndaya emphasized several important things to women, such as, while using the media, they must be careful of what can be shared and what cannot, they must think critically, and not easily believe everything from the media, protect privacy, and avoid the media as a place for gossiping and judging someone. This is the reference for women to manage digital media smartly and wisely.

On that occasion, Kalita Mboru, one participant, promoted her handmade works in the form of wallets, small bags, and masks made from leftover woven cloth. Other participants appreciated the work, and the products will be promoted through digital media. Next, the group participants prepare themselves to start producing woven cloth from the beginning using 20 bulks of yarn and proceed from the first stage, namely ‘kabukul’ or winding the yarns. This process will be uploaded to 'Kawara Panamung's Youtube channel. The channel is expected to help the group promote the work, and be a platform to promote local culture, including documenting the activities of Sumba women in Tanatuku village.

Hopefully, through productive, healthy, and safe digital use, it will help the women and weaving group participants to do business of woven fabrics, both for domestic and foreign market customers.***

By Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba.          

The pig farm cannot be separated from the daily life of the Sumbanese, except the Muslims. Apart from being a basic need, in certain cases, pig farms become an irreplaceable symbol for other livestock. Almost all houses in the countryside raised pigs. During this time, pigs have been one of the economic supports of the family, and even as savings for children's education fees and the pig farming is one of the best saving.

ASF virus has hit the livestock of Sumba since 2019 and it brought difficulties in people's lives. More than 60% pigs in Sumba died, even the farmers lost their livestock totally. The enthusiasm to raise pigs is still high among Sumba people. The main problem now is the difficulties in getting piglets as the price is very high that make the farmers in Sumba cannot afford them. The East Sumba Regional Government, the Livestock Service Office, and the Legislative support various activities by restoring and developing community farms by allocating a budget for piglet procurement for farmer community groups.

Several groups were already made covering the ‘Harapan Kita’ Group, the ‘Lai Welik’ Group, and the ‘Rita’ Groups with 54 members. These groups were accompanied by multiplication program since the beginning, to establish group, until how to make proposals. Hopefully, the members of this group got support from local government for direct assistance and livestock seeds for each so that pig farming activities that are part of the daily life of the Sumba people will be active again to support the community's economy. (AH) ***

By Stube HEMAT Multiplication in Sumba

The ASF virus outbreak caused multi-dimensional impacts, not only devastating the pig population in Sumba but also cutting off economic resources and causing trauma for pig farmers to restart. It must be admitted that the demand for pork supply is still high, but the availability is limited so that the price goes up. This situation has attracted the attention of various parties, including the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba which focuses on pigs farms by continuing to strengthen members group through various activities to encourage motivation, increase knowledge and strengthen networks among farmers, livestock marketing, academics, and the government through the East Sumba livestock service. The regular meeting was held on Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Paddi village, Nggaha Ori Angu, where twenty-seven members of the pig farmers under the coordination of Apriyanto Hangga, the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba in the field of pig farming, conducted member strengthening through the material presentation, discussion, and question & answer.

Daniel Gabriel Lado, A.Md.Pet., the resource person, told the current condition of pigs in East Sumba after the ASF attack. It must be admitted that the availability of pork is low and unable to meet the demand. Economically, the imbalance of supply and demand has pushed prices up, even if compared to last year, the increase could be doubled. In addition, the virus attack has also traumatized the community to raise pigs again. In the presentation, the resource person gave encouragement and reinforcement, based on the experience, he said that farmers should not be afraid of the virus, but must have a strong belief that the virus can be defeated and must remain optimistic in raising pigs because it is an inseparable part of people's lives in Sumba. Besides having enthusiasm, the pig farmers must have complete knowledge to raise pigs. So this community is needed because it assists farmers to continue to learn and improve their knowledge.

Some basic notes on raising pigs, such as (1) Sterilization of cage; sterilization of cages is crucial, we must change the traditional pattern of raising a pig to modern with a cage system and carry out routine cleaning, install air circulation and avoid the reach of other animals. (2) Vaccination and vitamins are carried out periodically so that the immune system of the livestock becomes stronger. (3) Provision of quality food means clean and nutritious food, (4) Attention and care, continuous and sustainable attention to livestock is important to know the development of livestock so that they can anticipate if there are symptoms of the disease.

He continued that pigs are now relatively safe because the ASF virus has been successfully suppressed with vaccines and changes in the way of farming, as proved by this time there is no report of the remaining pigs getting sick and dying. In addition, the real conditions that occurred in several other areas affected by the virus, in Nias, North Sumatra, Bangli, Bali. Timor and Flores, NTT are all relatively safe and they are starting to move again. Including government regulations in the form of a ban on inter-island traffic for pigs has been lifted and the trade of pigs between islands has been reopened. Therefore, the resource person invited the community, especially the discussion participants, to be a resource person in the community to tell the good news so that pig farmers are not afraid to raise pigs, but must breed and be brave to start instead.

Changes in the behavior of raising pigs are required, starting from a strong will and being equipped with complete knowledge, we can face challenges in raising pigs and get satisfactory results. Starting from a pig that is released in the field to being penned, from one pig and gradually increase in number if the situation improves and finally, the economic welfare of the community is increasing.

Stube HEMAT Multiplication Program in Sumba

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd.      

On the 76th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence, the youth's role as initiators is still much needed to fill independence by doing positive things, especially in today's digital era. Digitalization with all the conveniences to obtain and process information makes all human activities can be presented online, as well as Indonesia's potencies can be introduced to the rest of the world only through internet access. Therefore, youth and students are required to continuously learn and produce real works to improve Indonesia's competitiveness.

To welcome independence day, Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba as well as an igniter and leader of the village youth, lifted the enthusiasm of the students and youth of the Tanatuku village to become productive, innovative, and creative youth using social media as a communication and socialization platform, in a discussions with Reynaldo Erick (Monday, 16/08/2021). He is a young man who is engaged in the digital world and shares an interesting experience of what he is doing. He has a YouTube account with thousands of subscribers. His YouTube’s contents are the introduction to tourist attractions in East Sumba that has succeeded in bringing tourists from several countries to travel in Sumba, and he is the guide. Not only YouTube, but he also uses FB and Instagram to promote regional tourism. This is one of the benefits and uses of digital media, not only bringing income but also successfully having a promotion of the region to foreign countries. Erick invited youth to be 'literate' with media and trained them how to create a YouTube account, how to make videos and how to promote the content and media.

Knowing many benefits of digital media, as the first step, the youth and students agreed to create video content on the hill of Ndapayami, Pambotandjara village, Waingapu district, East Sumba, with the theme 'Tough Youth, Indonesia Grows', as well as the celebration of the 76th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. The beauty of the hills with its amazing curves, complemented with an extraordinary view of the sunset, boosted the enthusiasm of the participants to prepare the content. The black and white uniform and the red and white ribbon tied to their head, as well as the waving of the red and white flag, inspire a high sense of nationalism and love for the homeland. Here is the impression and messages of one participant, Melyanti Njurumana, "The Covid-19 limits people who should gather together but have to keep their distance from each other". Meanwhile, other youth expressed hopes that this nation would soon recover and be free from Covid-19.

Once again, it is important for the innovative and creative youth to have self-awareness to see social conditions, to open up to a wider environment, and to have sensitivity to problems that occur in society. Especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic, the role of youth is important to educate public so that they can free themselves from the pandemic. ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd

Digital technology is an important element for the transformation process on social, cultural, political, and economic. Technology becomes the latest communication medium and affects the aspects of human life, including women,so that they can increase their contribution to the family economy. The women's awareness in utilizing technology still needs to be improved, so that holistic and comprehensive digital literacy is needed, especially the encouragement for women to learn and master digital technology in order to increase their capacity.

Through the Stube HEMAT Multiplication program in Sumba, Elisabeth Uru Ndaya as the program multiplicator in Sumba invited village women and tied woven group members to gather and discuss a topic ‘the women today must be digitally literate” (Wednesday, 4/08/2021). On this occasion, she opened insight, awareness as well as ways of thinking to realize business potencies, learn and know the use of digital technology such as the use of Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and others to facilitate Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise (MSME) business development. From the discussion, it turned out that most of the women and youth in Tanatuku village had a Facebook account already, but only to see the status of friends, to update status, to upload selfie photos, even they use it as a medium for gossiping and mocking others.

This discussion helped the women and youth open their horizons that social media is not only Facebook, and they can optimize it for more useful things even to earn 'income' to support the family's economy. The woman group also reflected a year's program of women's empowerment that had been going well. They agreed on three important things as reference for future programs, covering, 1) the women of the weaving groups are ready to learn and utilize digital technology to increase existing capacity and productivity, 2) the women of the weaving group will continue to produce original Sumba woven fabrics in the form of cloth, sarongs, scarves, and other woven fabric creativities, 3) the women of the weaving group collaborate with other parties to prepare time and power to build a weaving house as a weaving learning house as well as a place to store weaving assets in the future.

The Multiplication Program of Stube HEMAT in Sumba through the women's empowerment program is expected to enable women in Tanatuku village to be digitally literate and to use technology as a way to increase women's capacity.

By Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara

Integrated farming, in a simple term means a mutual farming system between one commodity and the other commodity, so the cost of production can be reduced as far as possible by optimize the use of existing commodities or managed together in one location. In a broader meaning, integrated agriculture is a system with integration activities in crops, crop and horticulture enterprises, farms, plantations, fisheries, and forestry plants within a one-area (Anugrah, Iwan Settiajie, 2014:158)

Sumba has prospective agricultural potencies, besides being known as a cattle island, Sumba also has several prospective natural potencies, such as extensive savanna, fertile soil resources, water resources and fascinating tourist spots. Seeing the potencies above, Stube HEMAT through Multiplication activities raised a theme of a discussion on ‘Integrated agriculture in Sumba’ by presenting resource person I Made Raspita, a successful farmer entrepreneur in Lewa district. This activity was held at his training center, called Pusat Pelatihan Pertanian Pedesaan (P4S) or Independent Rural Agriculture Training Center, (Wednesday, 2/6/2021).

The atmosphere of the training was exciting with the enthusiastic questions and answers between the participants and the source person. The activity was done in indoor and field study. There were statements and opinions given by the source person: 1) The young people of Sumba is not lazy, but they are still weak to see the agriculturee opportunity, 2) Sumba still needs creative youth, 3) Hard works will bring benefits in the future, 4) in Sumba, it’s not seeking for job opportunities, otherwise providing job opportunities.

“Doing works or being pranked,” this statement was said by the source person repeatedly. The statement was used to tickle the young people of Sumba to take part in promoting Sumba’s farming because it has a good prospect if it is managed well. The young people of Sumba has opportunity to create their own job opportunity. Let us create jobs! ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya

Like or not, it must be admitted that many women in East Sumba are still left behind than men, in terms of quality of life as well as the roles and participation to make decision. The patriarchal culture has directly or indirectly placed women in second rank, as if women cannot be equal to their husbands, powerless, even have no power over themselves. Gender equality does not mean demanding women exactly be the same as men, but it supports women and men to have opportunity to be equal. Therefore, multiplication of Stube-HEMAT in Sumba focused on women empowerment program, to respond and to support the efforts to improve the quality of women resources in Sumba, especially in Tanatuku village, Nggaha Ori Angu district. It grows gender sensitivity and awareness among the community and the stakeholders.

In the midst of the weaving process, Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, the multiplicator, invited them to discuss and exchange ideas with a theme ’women and the shackles of freedom’ (5/05/2021). The women are still trapped by the doctrine that women are only at home taking care of their children and being devoted to their husbands. It is a wrong understanding about the nature of man and woman, and it is very important to know and to have advanced understanding in which men and women have their own natures that cannot be exchanged, such as women are born with vaginal organs and uterus, give birth and breastfeed, while men are born with a penis and have sperm that can fertilize the egg. But the matter of taking care of the household, working, taking care of children, driving, leading, and being led is not natural, because it can be done by women and men.

After nearly a year of accompanying the weaving group, multiplicator finds that there are many struggles and problems faced by women who wanted to have self-development, such as getting bad acts, physical violence, verbal abuse from their husbands or families. In the village of Tanatuku, 12 cases of violence have been recorded, 3 of which are participants in the Stube-HEMAT weaving group. In the discussion, the group members, Er (initials) told that her husband forbade her to hang out with anyone and even to join a weaving group, she got physical violence from her husband. With various approaches done by the weaving group, now she gets freedom from her husband. Another participant, Ri (initials) poured out her heart, her husband's family hated her so much that she was scolded and even beaten, and Or (initials) also told the story of her struggle with her husband who was controlling all her actions, while her husband now has another woman.

The free and independent women are women who are able to express their ideas and thoughts positively without forgetting their nature as a woman, no matter when they are at their weakest or strongest level, they can convey it with respect. The problems that exist do not reduce their intention to continue to improve their quality in the process of becoming a weaver. They learn not just weaving, but many things about life. The opportunity to meet is a moment for them to support each other, to exchange ideas, and to strengthen one another for every household problem that are faced. Women must continue to have self-development and life quality.***

By: Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara

Sunday, April 4, 2021, became a tragic moment and the memory traumatized the residents of Malumbi, Lambanapu, and the surrounding areas. Seroja Cyclone triggered a flash flood in the Kambaniru river that broke the Lambanapu dam which has been draining 1.400 hectares of rice fields while the level of the community’s dependence around the irrigation flow is quite high. So, you can imagine the impact of the damage to agriculture. Not only rice fields, but many residents lost their houses and gardens located on the riverbanks because they have been eroded by the flood currents.

The chain impacts of the disaster caused most farmers to lose their productive activities that support their daily life and future lives. Not only in the Malumbi and Lambanapu areas that were hit by direct or indirect impacts, but also, floodwaters that knocked down several bridges, and several houses in Kambaniru were submerged by overflowing water, worse road access to the southern region was also cut off and Umbu Mehang Kunda airport was also flooded by floodwaters so the flight activity stopped completely within a few days.

Stube HEMAT through the multiplication program together with the group of Taruna Tani Tunas Baru responded to this disaster by holding a meeting that discussed, “Farming strategies after flood disaster at Kambaniru dam”. Formerly, the government side, in this case, the head of Kambera district head was in charge as the speakers for this theme, but due to the increasing spread of Covid-19 in East Sumba Regency, the topic be discussed internally between the group leader and the management. It will be wasting time if people only wait for the government to renovate the dam, as it is estimated that it will take about 3 years to be normal again. An alternative step was taken after the discussion to continue to do agricultural business by utilizing groundwater or well water. Some use simple technology by providing a water pump and sprinkler hose and some will use a drip irrigation system.

The hopes expressed in this discussion is the farmers can survive and cultivate the crops by utilizing the latest irrigation system, then, they will be dare to release the dependence on irrigation channels and the last, the disaster is not an obstacle to do agricultural business, even it teaches farmers to be more creative to find new ways of farming.***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd.

The people of Sumba have a habit or tradition of weaving, and it becomes a tourism attraction until now, and develops the local community's economy as well. Tied weaving is an inseparable part of the culture in Sumba. Then, what is the real reason for the Sumbanese to weave? This answer can be referred to the early period when the Sumbanese began to weave around the 1800-1900s until now.

According to the observer of Sumbanese tied weave, Jonathan Hani, there are three reasons why Sumbanese people weave in different periods. First, weaving is part of the ritual of offering thanksgiving to God; second, weaving shows the social status of the Sumba people; third, weaving is done to meet basic needs. The three reasons above are factors in the existence of Sumba tied weaving until now, even the woven cloth is known worldwide. Currently, the weaving group of Stube-HEMAT keeps their enthusiasm to complete the process. Every Wednesday, the participants gather and work together to complete each process and start the weaving stage.

The stage of weaving that the participants have done before, is, first, separating each ‘liran’ (coloring stage) combined into one or ‘biara’; second, spreading or ‘walah liran’ on the ‘wanggi’ (bamboo structure) which had previously been separated through the ‘biara’ process and tidying up the position of the motif as the same as the beginning motif; third, tidying the motif or ‘tidihu liran’ that has been stretched in the ‘wanggi’, fitting the position of each ties based on the former motif; fourth, separating each strand of attached thread by inserting a thin bamboo with a pointed tip between the strands and ending with the insertion of a long piece of bamboo as a tool to make ‘pawunang’ or determiner; fifth, ‘hawulur pamawang’ or weft thread that has also been dyed prepared by being rolled on a stick called ‘pamawang’; sixth, ‘parabat’ or the process of inserting a thin piece of bamboo between the threads as a sign of the beginning the weaving process; seventh, weaving or ‘tinung’. It takes two weeks (intensively done) or 4-5 weeks if it is done in the spare time to complete one 'liran' or ‘hemba’.

During the processes, the participants of the Stube-HEMAT weaving group learned many new things. In the beginning they thought that once the coloring was finished, they will start to weave, but they found out a few more steps that must be completed until the weaving stage. There is satisfaction and happiness among the participants when they have completed the previous stages well and now they are entering the weaving process. Even though some of them are not yet good at weaving, they are so curious to enter the loom circle and try to start.

May Nggiri, one of the participants, admitted that she was so proud to be part of the weaving group because she finally understood well how the works of a weaver, from the winding the thread stage to weaving. She also tried to learn how to weave her sarong with confidence and prudence. A happy smile appeared on her face and so did on the others’.

Currently, they are in the process of weaving. No less interesting, these skills will be combined with an understanding of creative business, as their efforts to understand the strategy in developing tied weaving in the future.***

(Youth Group of Tanatuku, Childfund, & Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba)

The participation of youth in various activities will strengthen their capacity to increase and to manage the potencies of their village. NGO Childfund Indonesia as one of the youth observer institutions provide attention and opportunity for young people to be actively involved in various positive and constructive activities. Together with Karang Taruna (Youth group) in Tanatuku village, Childfund Indonesia collaborated with the Multiplication of Stube-HEMAT in Sumba to organize National Youth Capacity Enhancement (NYCE) activities and a Symposium for young people throughout Sumba. This activity was held in Tanatuku village, Nggaha Ori Angu district, followed by 80 young people from 10 villages spread over 3 districts in East Sumba. One of the activities that became the focus of the program was a study visit in several locations whose potencies were developed by the youth of the village themselves, such as the Stube-HEMAT weaving group.

On Friday (26/03/ 2021), 40 participants visited the Stube-HEMAT weaving learning house. There were many new things that they asked and learned. Such as the background of the establishment of the weaving group, the stages of weaving, the looms to the direct practice of winding the yarns. Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, the head of the local youth group organization as well as the chairman of the youth symposium committee, the mentor of the weaving group (Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba) encouraged and motivated the participants who joined to think about their youth by doing productive activities, working and producing something useful for him/her, as well as for others, especially young people who are agents of change to continue working to give positive effect to people around them.

On the occasion, the member of the weaving group explained the stages of weaving as well as looms to the symposium participants. Most of them admitted that it was the first time they had seen and tried the weaving process themselves, such as winding a thread. They appreciated the enthusiasm of the weaving group members who initially did not understand weaving, but finally able to teach the stages of weaving.

Minto, a young man from Pambotanjara village, Kota Waingapu, a management student at Wirawacana Christian University in Sumba, gave a good impression to the group members who were engaged in weaving even though they were not descendants of weavers; he also asked what the main reason for the formation of a weaving group in the advanced and modern era was. Sherly, one of the weaving group member, who is also a member of the local youth organization responded, “We realize that weaving is a Sumbanese culture, so we need to take part in preserving the existing culture, as well as supporting the economic condition because whatever the job is, we want to weave or be a farmer if it brings income for welfare, we are all interested,” she said.

Hopefully, this youth symposium will open up the insight and the mindset of the village youth to optimize their youth age by doing positive things and being able to manage the potencies of their villages. ***

By: Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba

On Saturday (20/03/2021), located in Prai Paha village, Nggaha Ori Angu district, a visit and discussion to share experiences were held with farmers whose pigs have survived for more than a year during the outbreak of pig disease. The latest information is that there are only 20% of the remaining pigs from the total population in East Sumba. Together with two farmers as resource persons, namely Yohanes Rada Muri and Benjamin Tonga Retang, who still carry out semi-traditional livestock practices and currently have 14 healthy cattle and 12 pigs in cages, this discussion and visit were attended by 29 participants consisting of farmers, youth church, and students.

Some of the steps taken to survive from the virus are as follow:

1. Besides the pigpen must be clean to make it free from flies and mosquitoes, the pen must be isolated and not everyone is allowed to enter it. Their livestock does not contact with the world outside the pen (similar with Corona in humans)
2. Vitamin injections for livestock are done every 2 months by self-injection done by the owner.
3. Animal feed is taken from the surrounding environment, such as pau, corn, cassava, etc. Avoid leftover food related to pork at all.
4. Those who take care or provide food to the livestock are owners or people who are not related to pigs or pork from outside, and pigs are not allowed to come out of the cage, and cannot have contact with other animals such as dogs or chickens.

Even though these two farmers managed to survive, they remained watchful for fear that their livestock would be exposed to the virus. The pigs in their pens were piglets from crossbreeding in which the male is from the location. From this visit, the participants took the initiative to quarantine their areas by limiting the entry and exit of pigs from other places so that the pigs could survive from the virus. ***

Stube-HEMAT and BP3K Lambanapu initiated the formation of the Millennial Farmer group in Lambanapu village. This initiative came from the availability of water and land resources in Lambanapu village. In addition, the Lambanapu area is one of the suppliers of agricultural products for the Waingapu market, because its production site is near the market. The activity was held at the BP3K office of Kambera district, Lambanapu village on Saturday, March 6, 2021. From the farmer groups that had been formed, the Millennial Farmer group was not yet on the group list, therefore, Stube-HEMAT through the multiplication program and BP3K Lambanapu initiated the formation of millennial farmer group in Lambanapu village.

When the activity was carried out, there were positive responses from the candidate of young farmer members and also several parties that support the presence of a young farmer group in the Lambanapu village area. Besides the candidates of the young farmer group, the government also took part in this activity, such as the head of Kambera district, the village head of Lambanapu, head of BP3K Kambera district, fields supervisor of Lambanapu village, and the head of Gapoktan (farmer group).

Several statements emerged during the meeting, the first statement from the Head of Kambera district was, "The millennial farmer group must establish partnership work with the government and hope to become an icon or role-model for other groups". The second statement came from the Head of Lambanapu village that this farmer group must be active, not soon after being formed, this group does not have any activities or even disbands”. The last statement came from the Head of BP3K Kambera district, "The activities of the Tunas Baru young farmer group must lead to agribusiness that brings economic impact".

The formation of the Tunas Baru young farmer group in Lambanapu village is expected to establish a cooperative forum that encourages members to show up as smart millennial farmers, able to manage the water supply and land well for the domestic economic movements and become actors in agricultural development. In addition, the group will be an educational forum or training center that will hold technical training and finally it can be a role model. ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya

On Tuesday (16/02/2021), the Stube-HEMAT weaving group carried out a particular activity than before. In the previous week, they oiled the threads, this time they enter the stage of coloring using Noni root (kombu). The process itself attracts their attention because they have to use extra energy to pound a large number of noni roots and skin and it started at 09.00 am until 06.00 pm. Some of them cut the noni skin into small pieces, and some others pounded and squeezed the crushed noni roots.

The Noni’s small roots produce a red color. For better results, noni with small leaves and roots is used. The roots are mixed with skin and loba (Soka) leaves which are pounded and mixed to get a better red color. The kombu roots are cut into small pieces and then put into a mortar and pounded using a pestle, then mixed with the skin and loba leaves then squeezed for the liquid. After that, the coloring process for red was done by dipping the hemba / soaking cloth into the kombu mixture for 2-3 times. It took 1-2 nights and then dried under the sun until the cloth is completely dry. The work of coloring with noni is called kombu and the worker is called makombu.

The participants of the weaving group were very enthusiastic to follow and complete the stages of cloth coloring. With their strong spirit of togetherness and curiosity, they left away their fatigues. They got many impressions from the beginning until the coloring stage. May Nggiri, one of the weaving group participants admitted that she appreciated the efforts of the weavers who had already done weaving. "It is reasonable if the price of the original woven cloth from East Sumba is very expensive because the process takes time and requires extra energy," she commented.

In the middle of the activity, some Sunday school children showed their enthusiasm in learning to weave. Mama Yustina, the trainer invited them to bundle the thread, as the first step of the learning process. This is a good step to prepare the next weavers generation. The enthusiasm of the youth and their mothers inspires Sunday school children too.

While waiting for the colored weaving thread to dry, the participants learned deeper about the variety of motif designs that exist in East Sumba. The motif itself becomes a parameter of the splendor of woven cloth. Therefore, it is important for the beginner group to learn more about the East Sumba weaving motifs, so that they can create their region-based weaving motifs. ***

Southwest Sumba Regency is one of four regencies in Sumba island. The regency has a land area of 1.445,32 km2 with a population of 338.427 people (Sumba Barat Daya Dalam Angka, 2019). Southwest Sumba regency has prospective agricultural potencies as natural resource assets.

Based on the natural potencies and the people’s activities, most of the people in Southwest Sumba regency work as farmers to fulfill food needs. The activity of Stube HEMAT held in Southwest Sumba (15/02/2021) was designed to respond to the needs of the activists of Stube who live there. Located at the BP3K office of Loura district, the activity took a theme related to the soil as a planting media, pesticides, and spraying technique on horticultural crops.

There was a new atmosphere when the activity was held in Southwest Sumba regency that the participants were very enthusiastic and eager in participating this activity by asking questions from every slide presented by the speaker. The activity itself was not only indoor but also outdoor, to help the participants understand more the material through direct observation in the fields.

The participants hope the activity of Stube-HEMAT can be held frequently in the Southwest Sumba regency because these technical materials were the needs of farmers. This activity is a collaboration of the Panah Merah Young Farmer of Sumba and the Tunas Muda Farmer Youth group of Loura district, Ramadana village. The collaborative works reach young people or church youth, students, and also people who carry out farming as concern on food issues. The smart farmers will be able to produce qualified agricultural products, competitive in the market, and finally, gain sustainable economic impact from agricultural business activities. ***

By: Apriyanto Hangga

Providing understanding to the farmer community during the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak is very important, regarding the limited information media and interactions with the competent people to the problems, which is also due to the limited facilities and infrastructure. This activity was carried out in Prai Paha village and Mbinu Dita village, Nggaha Ori Angu district (Thursday and Saturday, 11-13/02/2021). The enthusiasm of the residents was proved by the presence of around 50 participants consisting of 32 public and 18 students and church youths who run pig farming business.

The activities carried out were socialization to provide understanding and education to the community about various things related to the plague that was attacking and the vaccination of pigs in the two villages. This two-day activity was divided into 2 processes. The first day was the presentation of the material by the resource person and questions and answers with the participants, as well as livestock vaccination. On the second day, the activity was focused on vaccination only.

Luter Mungguway, A.Md.Pt and Benyamin Juruhapa, A.Md.Pt were the resource persons in this activity and the supervisor from the Animal Husbandry Service of East Sumba regency, who conveyed some important things such as understanding the viruses and diseases of pigs and the importance of vaccination in livestock. They also did field visits to see the problems that occurred. Through this activity, it turned out that the virus that attacked the residents' pigs was Hog Cholera. This virus already has a vaccine, so they immediately vaccinated 50 local livestock.

On the second day, the activities focused on vaccinating livestock. The residents waited at their houses and during this activity, 55 livestock were successfully vaccinated. The facilitation and vaccination activity made the residents happy because for almost 2 years there had never been any vaccination for their livestock, even this activity had helped to vaccinate more than 100 livestock.

The Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Sumba is considered important because it helps the community through the establishment of a collaboration with the village administrator and the animal husbandry agency, becoming a permanent program for vaccinating pigs every 6 months. ***

By: Apriyanto Hangga

The outbreak of the ASF (African Swine Fever) virus and the Hog Cholera disease that attack pigs make the people of Sumba face big problems because one of the economic resources is struck by the virus. The virus causes hundreds even thousands pigs dying suddenly and it makes the pig farming community discouraged and stressed because pigs are the source of family income and even support their children's school fees.

This disease is called African Swine Fever (ASF) because it first occurred in Kenya, East Africa in 1921, and at the end of 2019, this disease entered Indonesia and attacked pigs in North Sumatra to the island of Sumba. Transmission of ASF can be direct, contact between pigs, and indirect transmission through foods contaminated with viruses, mosquito or fly bites, and contact with objects contaminated with ASF particles. If a pig is infected with the ASF virus, the mortality rate reaches 100%.

The pig farming community in Sumba must continue to increase awareness by understanding these viruses and diseases, then they should take appropriate countermeasures. Activity to empower the community is important to be held by providing an understanding and education about various matters related to pigs, providing an understanding about various epidemics attacking pigs. The Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba provided assistance activity (31/01/2021) in two villages namely Prai Paha village and preparation village of Mbinu Dita, targeting students and church youth breeding pigs.

The resource person was Yohanes Bala, A,Md.Pet from the Animal Husbandry Service of East Sumba regency, who also hosted the question and answer session. This activity was quite interactive with several important things that were dealt about, such as Pig Farming, Diseases & Viruses of Swine, Characteristics of the Disease in Livestock, and Prevention & Treatment. Last but not least is keeping the pens clean and providing vitamins and vaccines to pigs.

The assistance for students and the pig farmer community also aims to build their optimism, that there must be a solution for every problem. ***

Living and working together will make it easier to achieve the goals because working together in cooperation eases and speeds up the completion of the works. So, it is important to grow a helpful and sincere heart among people that can create a sense of togetherness. It can affect work productivity and create unity and integrity in society, as currently done by the Stube-HEMAT weaving group, from the very beginning of the weaving thread work, till now, they are still working together. The established solidarity makes this group active and productive.

The activity is processing the ingredients of dyes through the oiling process on the hemba or motif thread (Wednesday, 27/01/2021). There are 22 sarong motifs or Hemba ready to be colored.  Ten of them will use natural dye blue (kawuru) and the others will be colored red (Kombu). The purpose of using two dyes is expected to make the participants of the weaving group learn the 2 stages of natural dyes at once. As the first process of kombu coloring, Mama Yustina (the weaving trainer) and the weaving group carried out the stages of processing the oiling on the motif threads. Before being dipped in the kombu, hemba is dipped in a mixture of candlenut and Walakeri bark which are finely ground to produce oil. The immersion process takes 1 to 2 nights, then they are dried under the sun for several days. The purpose of the hemba dipped in the candlenut mixture is to make the red color infiltrating the thread easier to produce the best red color. Completing this process, then it goes to the process of using noni root or kombu.

The participants of the weaving group consisting of young women and mothers were very excited and enthusiastic to complete this stage. The candlenut and the bark are mashed together, soaked, and squeezed out of the water until they release the oil. This activity starts at 3:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. The weaving group prepared additional blue dye ingredients, namely indigo leaves (Friday, 29/01/2021). Indigo leaves are cleaned and placed in a bowl for soaking. The indigo leaves mixed with ash and lime to get light blue, dark blue, and black colors. The coloring works with indigo leaves is called Nggilingu. Apart from that, the participants also prepare new threads to learn the design of various kinds of weaving motifs.

Commonly, the participants admitted that it was the first time for them to see and to practice the process of natural dyes. There were new things they learned, such as the ingredients used and how to process them. Some of the participants said their opinions that it was reasonable if the price of the original woven cloth from East Sumba was expensive because the manufacturing process was time and energy-consuming. Most of the participants are beginners in weaving, they hope when they are skilled enough, they can be a teacher for their children and families so that the knowledge does not stop at their level, but it will be inherited to their children even the next generation, and the culture will not vanish from Sumba. ***

The following field study is related to the observation of pests and diseases. For students, church youths, and even farmers themselves, the terms of pests and diseases are rather difficult to differentiate, therefore, Stube HEMAT through a multiplication program promoted a topic related to pests and diseases, so that the participants can understand clearly. This activity was carried out at the Stube HEMAT field study center (Saturday, 23/01/2021) Waingapu, Lambanapu, Kambera district, East Sumba regency.

Nine participants took part in this training. By understanding several things that threaten the world of agriculture including its break-through, they were directed to the tomato area and given a chance to observe pests by cutting parts of plants attacked by pests or diseases. These parts can be leaves, stems, roots, fruit, flowers, or flower stalks.

During the observation, they were surprised to know that tomatoes could be cultivated during the rainy season. One participant said, “Nobody grows tomatoes during the rainy season in my village, but the plants grow well here, even in the rainy season!” he shook his head. Others asked, "What is the difference between diseases and pests?"

Having finished the observation and taken some parts of the plants attacked by pests or diseases, they left the fields and brought the results of their observations to the resource person. The source person tried to make sure the participants’ understanding  about pests and diseases by asking them, "What do you know about pests and diseases?" The participants saw each other while looking for the correct answer. "Pests can move or can be seen with the eyes, for example, fruit caterpillars, fruit flies, types of lice, and white butterflies. While the disease does not move or cannot be seen with the eye, symptoms appear in plants, such as the Geminivirus, bacterial wilt, and bacterial spots,” he explained.

Based on this activity, the participants continued to have experience by observing the fields, so that they would understand those threaten the agricultural world, such as pests and diseases, and would be able how to deal them. ***

By Elisabeth Uru Ndaya

Women empowerment is an effort to bring a positive impact on life aspect such as economy, however, discrimination among women still exists, especially in the pandemic because many women are hampered to work. Honestly, many women with soft competencies and hard skills are not inferior compared to men if they are empowered. Women with their abilities can be the key for the potential-creative businesses such as woven fabric craft to improve family welfare, or enable young women to get their right to participate in managing the benefits of Sumba culture resources.

Stube-HEMAT Multiplication program in Sumba, especially in the congregation of Sumba Christian Church (GKS) Karunggu, Tanatuku village, Nggaha Ori Angu sub-district, encourages young women to be able to continue working on cultural heritage. In early 2021, the Stube-HEMAT weaving group met and discussed at weaving home led by Elisabeth Uru Ndaya as the program companion and Multiplicator of Stube-HEMAT in Sumba. Some important points discussed for the next 6 months activities are: 1) preparation of planting land for natural dyes such as tilapia (Wora), and mengkudu (kombu) trees; 2) preparation of coloring and weaving yarn that has been designed; 3) preparation to collect all motifs of tied-woven fabric throughout Sumba; 4) follow up activity to prospect the support of the head of the Women's Empowerment office for 50 balls of threads and search network with the industry office and other institutions.

This discussion was not only discussing the program but also sharing about locust pests that destroyed their gardens. Todays, locust pests are very unsettling for farmers. Many plants on their garden are eaten by locust pests. Most of the participants of the weaving group felt the impact and told their struggle to repel the locust pests. Many ways have been done but there is no result yet. It is terrible, not until 30 minutes, the flowering corn or rice in the garden and fields are eaten up instantly. "When locust pests entered my garden, I was bringing my kid to the health center and when I returned, I immediately went to the garden. Getting there, I was shocked by the view because what I saw was no longer corn plant but locust, from roots to corn shoots full of locusts. My body immediately faint and I had no more energy to banish it, the locusts are so many. I could only cry," said Asri, one of the participants.

It can be understood that the participants are so sad when the plants of their garden are attacked by locust pests, because their real livelihoods are from their field and garden harvests.  Gardens and fields have been feeding them to survive. If something bad happens on their farm, then it will adversely affect their next welfare. Therefore, with the presence of this weaving program, it gives hopes to open a creative business through woven fabrics.  Keep spirit the group and continue doing activities of today's life! ***