The community service team from the Master’s Program in Tourism Studies, Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), conducted a field survey and data collection activity in Wukirsari Village, Imogiri Subdistrict, Bantul Regency, on Friday (June 5th). The activity, held at 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It marked the initial phase of a community empowerment program entitled “Empowering the Wukirsari Community through the Utilization of Home Gardens as Sources of Natural Batik Dyes.”
The activity was led by the principal investigator, Siti Nurul Rofiqo Irwan, S.P., M.Agr., Ph.D., together with five team members from the UGM Graduate School. Through the survey, the team assessed community conditions, the potential of home gardens, and opportunities for cultivating plants that can serve as natural dye sources to support local batik production.
The program was developed based on research findings indicating the need to strengthen community capacity with continuous education and mentoring. It also aims to introduce practical home-garden utilization models and share experiences and best practices from successful natural-dye batik entrepreneurs.
The team, during the activity, conducted field observations and collected data to gain a better understanding on environmental conditions, local resource potential, and community preparation to develop productive home gardens. The information gathered will serve as the foundation for designing empowerment programs tailored to the needs and characteristics of the Wukirsari community.
Siti Nurul Rofiqo Irwan stated that home gardens have significant potential to support the cultivation of natural dye plants while enhancing community self-reliance. This program is expected the residents to gain knowledge about cultivating natural dye plants and optimizing their home gardens for productive and economically valuable activities.
The program is also expected to encourage the development of an agrotourism-based area that integrates food crops and natural dye plant cultivation. In this way, home gardens can function not only as productive spaces but also as educational resources and drivers of local economic development; and also increasing public knowledge about home-garden utilization and natural dye plants for batik production,
This survey and data collection activity represents the first step in a series of community service initiatives to be implemented in Wukirsari Village. The survey results will be used to design targeted training, mentoring, and community empowerment programs, ensuring sustainable benefits for local residents.
Author: Yeti Susilowati