Improving Economic Resilience of Young Farmers Through Melon Cultivation in Jember

The Independent Farmers Union (SEKTI) of Jember is a local community organization committed to fighting for agrarian reform and empowering farmers in Jember, East Java. The organization focuses on fair and sustainable management of agrarian resources, including land redistribution and increasing the capacity of farmers. In recent years, SEKTI has succeeded in strengthening the organization through various programs, including the establishment of savings and loan cooperatives to support the agrarian needs of its members. The cooperative collects funds and capital from farmers who manage priority locations for agrarian reform with various savings models, then re-circulates it to members for their needs in managing priority land redistribution (LPRA). Such as to buy fertilizer, vegetable or secondary crop seeds, fulfill household needs, repair houses, health and education.

However, major challenges such as low income of young farmers and lack of access to sustainable business opportunities prompted SEKTI to seek additional solutions through a collective melon cultivation program with the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding. Melon cultivation is considered quite promising considering its high economic value, if the harvest is good and reasonable profits can be obtained in just 2 months. The program is designed to strengthen organizational independence, strengthen the resilience of joint business members, and increase the income of SEKTI members, especially young SEKTI members in Krajan Hamlet, Glundengan Village, Wuluhan District, Jember Regency.

The program began with a meeting between the administrators and representatives of the young men and women of the Independent Farmers Union (SEKTI). In the meeting, the location of the activity was decided, a working group was formed, and a detailed activity plan was prepared. The meeting determined the division of tasks, cultivation strategies, and harvest management plans. The young men and women members of SEKTI, numbering around 50 people, formed working groups with each group consisting of around 10-15 people. The first stage in implementing the program was technical training in melon cultivation. Melon cultivation experts provided comprehensive explanations on land management, planting techniques, and plant care. Training materials included efficient watering techniques, as well as pest prevention and control measures. Participants were taught how to identify plant diseases and strategies to minimize the risk of crop failure.

After the training, the activity continued with cleaning and processing the melon demonstration plot. A 1 hectare land in the Priority Location of Agrarian Reform – Dusun Kraja, Desa Gludengan, Kec. Wuluhan, Kab Jember which had been agreed to be used as a melon cultivation area was cleaned and prepared. In this stage, each member of the working group actively contributed, both in the physical preparation of the land and in discussions about optimal planting strategies.

Previously in 2021, the cooperative and SEKTI had held organic farming training to provide fertilizers made from animal waste (goat manure and cow manure). After completing the training, the fertilizer group was used on a vegetable demonstration plot of 1 shoulder (around 0,75 hectares). Efforts to make and use organic fertilizers were also applied to the melon demonstration plot. Not only is it efficient in terms of costs because dependence on factory fertilizers is reduced, but it also increases land productivity without sacrificing ecosystem balance.

The process of planting and caring for melon seedlings is carried out collectively, starting with sowing to moving seedlings to the main land. Each stage is closely monitored to ensure optimal plant growth. Monitoring includes regulating soil moisture, controlling rainfall, and protecting plants from pest threats. In addition, SEKTI youths conduct routine monitoring to evaluate plant conditions and ensure all cultivation procedures are carried out according to plan.

The next stage is plant maintenance, including providing additional nutrients, scheduled irrigation, and plant care until harvest time. SEKTI youth also learn to conduct risk analysis, such as identifying factors that can affect harvest results and finding solutions to overcome them. The harvest is then distributed for sale in local markets, providing direct economic benefits to the community. In addition, part of the harvest is stored for further cultivation, ensuring the sustainability of the melon cultivation business. Through this process, the program is not limited to technical training but in order to strengthen the collective capacity of the community in managing the harvest independently and efficiently.

The profits generated from the collective melon demonstration plot will be shared with the young men and women who manage the land, SEKTI cash funds, and for capital to expand the melon cultivation business. Melon cultivation in Glundengan Village is an innovation to strengthen the independence of the organization, strengthen joint efforts of members, and increase the income of SEKTI members, especially young SEKTI members. With organizational independence, the reach and influence of SEKTI advocacy and work are expected to expand and strengthen.