The Geo-Information for Disaster Management and Spatial Planning (Geo-Info) Master Program UGM Graduate School, conducted a community engagement program on 26th – 27th June 2026 in Banyumanik Hamlet, Pacarejo Village, Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency. The program focused on establishing a vertical gardening demonstration plot (demplot) as a learning facility for local residents, particularly members of the Pertiwi Women’s Farmer Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani/KWT Pertiwi), to optimize the use of household yards for food production.
Pacarejo is characterized by dryland conditions and limited water availability, and the utilization of home gardens remains relatively low, which leaving many households dependent on market supplies for daily food needs. To address this challenge, the program introduced vertical gardening, a space-efficient cultivation technique that enables vegetables to be grown in stacked arrangements using simple, locally available materials. The approach is particularly suitable for cultivating fast-growing vegetables while making efficient use of limited land.
The community engagement team, beyond constructing the demonstration plot, also provided practical training for members of KWT Pertiwi on the principles of vertical gardening, growing media selection, and the use of locally available materials, including traditional clay pots (gerabah) and plempem, as planting containers. The demonstration plot was designed as a community learning hub featuring fast-growing vegetables and household herbs that can be replicated in home gardens.
The project was led by Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Junun Sartohadi, M.Sc., with team members Maftuchah Aleyda Yahya, Andika Bening Nurani, Dini Ariva, S.T., Yunia Puspa Amellia, S.P., and Tenaya Putri Badra Prawatya, S.P. The initiative was implemented under the UGM Graduate School Fostered Community Scheme 2026, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration to address community development challenges through science-based solutions.
The program also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by strengthening household food security, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving access to fresh and nutritious food, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging the sustainable use of household yards and locally available resources.
The vertical gardening demonstration plot is expected to serve as a sustainable learning space for members of KWT Pertiwi and the surrounding community. In addition to improving household-scale cultivation skills, the initiative is envisioned as an important first step toward developing more resilient, affordable, and sustainable home-based food systems that are well adapted to the dryland conditions of Gunungkidul.
Writer : Yeti Susilowati