IAAS LC ULM Promotes Sustainable Agriculture Through Organic Vegetable Training in Mandiangin Timur Village
Banjar, South Kalimantan – The PPK Ormawa IAAS Local Committee (LC) team from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture. On Saturday (August 30, 2025), the team conducted training on organic vegetable cultivation and compost application with the community of Mandiangin Timur Village, Karang Intan District, Banjar Regency.
This training was a continuation of last July’s activity, which focused on making organic fertilizer from locally sourced materials. This time, the community received not only theory but also hands-on practice on how to apply compost to vegetable cultivation.
The team’s accompanying lecturer, Dra. Eny Dwi Pujawati, M.Si., explained the importance of implementing environmentally friendly agriculture. According to her, compost not only increases fertility and improves soil structure but also adds nutrients while reducing farmers’ dependence on chemical fertilizers.
“By using compost, soil quality can be maintained and agricultural productivity can be maintained for longer without harming the environment,” she said.
Following the presentation, residents were invited to participate in a field practice session. Participants enthusiastically mixed the soil with organic fertilizer from the previous training and then planted vegetable seeds such as eggplant, celery, leeks, and chili peppers in medium-sized polybags. The atmosphere was interactive, with many residents asking questions about seedling care techniques and proper watering.
The activity resulted in approximately 125 polybags being successfully planted. Some were managed collectively at the training site for joint monitoring, while the rest were taken home by residents for further practice at home. This approach was deemed effective because the community could learn and be directly responsible for the crops they planted.
Furthermore, the training also opened up a space for discussion between the ULM team, residents, and village officials regarding the development of the Satria Muda Farmers’ Studio. This initiative is expected to become a hub for agricultural activities in Mandiangin Timur Village, ensuring that the knowledge gained is not limited to practical work but develops into a collective movement that impacts the village economy.
For the community, the ULM-initiated activities not only provide technical skills but also foster awareness of the importance of environmental protection.
“We feel helped by this training because we can directly put it into practice on the land. Hopefully, it will be sustainable and bring tangible results to the village,” said one resident after the event.
This training marks an important step for ULM in building food self-sufficiency in the village community. Through a series of sustainable programs, from organic fertilizer production to healthy vegetable cultivation practices, ULM hopes that Mandiangin Timur Village can become an inspiring example of sustainable agriculture at the local level, and even a model for other areas in South Kalimantan.
