ULM Students Transform Tapin Residents’ Yards into Chili Plantations
RANTAU – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), through its Community Service Program (KKN) Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), is supporting village food security in Tapin Regency. Students from the Faculty of Agriculture, members of Group 7 in Soil Science and Group 4 in Agronomy, took the initiative to transform the yards of residents of Baringin A Village, South Candi Laras District, into chili plantations.
A total of 430 chili seedlings were distributed directly to the local community. Chilies were chosen because of their high economic value and relatively easy maintenance.
“Our hope is that people can start from their yards. The harvest will not only meet their daily needs but also increase their income,” said Muhammad Rakha Priyambada, a representative of the KKN students.
Mikhael Wesley Rambe, Head of Group 4 in Agronomy, echoed this sentiment. “If the plants grow well, the harvest can be directly enjoyed by the family. This is a small example of the beneficial use of yards,” he explained.
Beyond chilies, students also built a TOGA (Family Medicinal Plants) garden containing ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, and galangal. This garden also serves as an educational resource on the use of herbal plants for natural health.
Furthermore, ULM students provided training on making Liquid Organic Fertilizer (POC) from household waste such as vegetable scraps, rice washing water, and even pumice wood. The POC is considered inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and effective for soil fertilization.
The Head of Candi Laras Selatan District, Zaul Rahman, appreciated the ULM students’ contribution to his village. “The students not only came, but also left behind knowledge that residents can apply in the future. Thank you to ULM for choosing our village as the location for this activity,” he said.
The ULM Community Service Program (KKN-MBKM) will run from July to September 2025 and involve several students, including Muhammad Rakha Priyambada, Zahratun Nisa, Syifa Alifa Robbana, Bintang Waldin Noor, Mikhael Wesley Rambe, Teo Anopta Ginting, Niko Pebriano, Novita Anggraini, and Arini Rahmah.
Through this simple initiative, ULM affirms its commitment to being present within the community. From distributing chili seeds and building a TOGA (herbal medicine) garden to processing organic fertilizer, all programs are aimed at creating food-independent, healthy, and empowered villages.
