May 2020 was the second month of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The economic situation was slowing down, all eyes focused on the efforts to handle and prevent the spread of pandemic, so the budget and donation were distributed to handle it.

The Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu also concerned with this situation and prayed that the pandemic would soon pass and activities could return to normal as soon as possible. Based on some news references both local dan foreign media, the multiplicator caught the signs that the global pandemic will affect world food production and it needs to be responded wisely.

Most of food products that fill our kitchen are supplied from imports. Sugar, rice, soybeans for tempe, tofu, soy sauce are all imported. It seems that domestic production has not enough to fulfill the needs of the Indonesian people, and it is risky because of its vulnerable conditions to be easily overthrowed. Brazil for example, has managed to get out of oil imports because some of their sugar cane is processed into raw material for ethanol. Germany reduces the dependence on wheat by encourage the citizens to consume and grow potatoes. Indonesia also campaigns carbohydrate sources from tubers other than rice.

Food independence is supported by the independence of fertilizers, seeds and markets. We are not talking about the big things of one nation or one region. The independence itself must be started from the place where we live. The preparation of food independence program at home has been prepared since early 2020. The secretariat of Multiplication Program in Bengkulu has produced seeds independently and available for free for those who want to plant them. The vary of seeds available are green mustard, chilies, eggplants, sweet potatoes, coconut, basil, black nightshade, cinnamon, salam leaf, ginger, coffee, turkey berry, cutcherry, pigeon pea, papaya, winged beans, velvet beans, and banana. If their seeds die or have crop failure, they can return the polybag to the secretariat and get the new one.

 

The youth in Bengkulu who had started planting in their house are, first, Bibit Hariadi. He already had his crops, sweet potatoes, chilies and vegetable potatoes. In May, the Multiplicator handed over greens mustard seeds to grow on his field. He is a youth leader in village VII and raising goats so it is easy to get compost. Second, Yohanes Suherman. The chilli seeds brought last March did not grow well, so in May he began to grow green mustard and will harvest it in a few days ahead. He has been actively supporting the multiplication program since 2017. Third, Marta Lita Viani planted chilies in a covered cement sack because chickens infiltrated the garden and destroy the chili beds in her former garden. Now, she planted sweet potatotes and chilies and could be harvested in the next two months. While the multiplicator, Yohanes Dian Alpasa has planted chili, cassava, and vegetable cassava. However, as long as the home-based food program is in progress, the multiplicator wanted to keep the supply of seeds well maintained, such as chili and black nightshade. At present, the oil eggplant seeds that are known to be pest-resistant are being developed. By planting at home, it is expected  that half part of the daily needs of vegetable can be fulfilled. The program is expected to reach more than eight youths of Bengkulu to broaden the impacts.

The Multiplication program of Stube-HEMAT in Bengkulu hopes that young people will not be lethargic but remain enthusiastic to be more creative, and they will not lose their intellectuality. Let us to be the middle guard in the pandemic. Thank you Stube-HEMAT’s activists wherever they are who always give support and attention to us in Bengkulu. (YDA).