2020 is a special year, because it was the first time I set my feet on Java, specifically in the Special Region of Yogyakarta to study at STAK Marturia Yogyakarta majoring in Theology. The opportunity to study at university is God's blessing, considering that many young people cannot continue their studies due to economic limitations or a lack of motivation to study. I do not just study at college. Besides carrying out my duties as a theology student, I also cultivate agricultural land. This is a manifestation of responding to God's commands to manage natural resources.

Equipped with farming knowledge from my father in Lampung, in 2020 I started planting rice by renting agricultural land from the village of Nologaten. Rice farming was an option at that time because I had not seen any other alternatives. After three rice-planting experiences, I started growing long beans, eggplants, and chilies. I cultivated the land to plant these three types and made beds so that the plants are not submerged in water when raining. The care for these plants also varies, for example, chilies need more attentions for the growth of prospective chili buds and weeds around chili plants must be cleaned, even trimming rotten chilies to avoid infection to other chilies. Meanwhile, maintaining long beans is focused on replanting seeds that do not grow properly and installing stands for them. The common pests are black ants and grasshoppers, but they can be treated with insecticides with appropriate dose.

I also got a passion of farming from Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta, especially the Biodiversity: Local Food Initiative program in 2022. I found enlightenment on the importance of processing local food to support the economy of a region because each region has its unique local food. After the training, I applied to grow corn. It is not difficult to care for corn plants so that they produce a satisfying harvest, it only needs timing, starting from fertilization, when the plants are two weeks old, and when the corn has started to show fruit. Do not forget to prune fruit that is not growing very well to select the number of fruits in one tree. After that, just wait for the harvest between 60-70 HST (The day after Planting) and monitor pest attacks. Another plant that I planted was bestru, of the luffa or oyong species. Planting bestru is quite easy because it only prepares land and a place for the plants to propagate. Bestru fruit is used as a vegetable and sponge if the fiber is dry.

To plant corn, I spent Rp 600.000,- (six hundred thousand rupiah) for seeds, fertilizer, and land rent. During the first corn harvest, I got 150 kg of corn with price for 7.000/kg. That means a total income reach IDR 1.050,000 or at least 350 thousand per month, not including the sale of corncobs (green corn) and corn stalks for livestock feed. In addition to daily consumption, I can process local food and have the income to pay for the tuition.

In my opinion, it is not enough for students just study at university, they need to have an awareness of processing natural resources and put it into action. I hoe, therefore I live, a motto that encourages me to participate in processing sustainable local food besides getting income for life. Come on, keep the spirit! ***