Did you know that five years ago the government set July 27 as National River Day? The celebration contained in Government Regulation no. 38 of 2011 concerning the River is a way for the government to encourage and motivate people to care about the river. Because the river conditions in Indonesia have reached a very alarming point.

 

Research by the Directorate General of Pollution Control and Environmental Damage on 100 rivers in 33 provinces from 2013 – 2015 shows that 52 Indonesian rivers have heavy pollution levels. In addition, as many as 20 rivers have moderate-to-heavy pollution levels, and 7 rivers have mild pollution. Only 21 rivers meet the quality standards, and even then they have mild pollution levels.

More sadly, one of the areas with heavily polluted rivers is the Progo River, the Krasak River, the Sudu River, the Opak River, the Serang River, and the Tinalah River which is part of the Winongo River. All the rivers are in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

 

Departing from concerns about the poor condition of the river in DI Yogyakarta, the UGM KKN team Donotirto Bantul Unit and UPN KKN team in collaboration with the Winongo Asri Communication Forum (FKWA) held an event to celebrate National River Day. The event was held on Saturday (07/28/2018) at Donotirto Village Hall, Bantul. It is indeed late a day from the National River day on July 27. But on the consideration of the participants’ willingness, this year’s event was postponed to 28 July.

 

National river daily bed by other environmental days hits

 

As a committee, our UGM KKN students have been preparing for the event since 06.30. The team consisting of 26 students worked together to prepare the location of the event. From folding flyers and posters to be shared with participants, arranging chairs, cleaning the area, installing billboards, and much more. Fortunately, the venue was ready before the participants began arriving at 8:00.

For this event, we invited Bantul and DIY government agencies, villagers around the Winongo river, members of the youth organization, and communities concerned with the river and the environment. Each participant who came to get merchandise from FKWA, in the form of shirts for participants of the workshop, hats, and bags for participants in the river stream.

 

The event began an hour later, and was opened by Endang, Chair of FKWA. In his remarks, Endang questioned the rarely heard echoes of National River Day because it was buried by other environmental days that first hit. In fact, the river plays a very crucial role in human life because of its role as the only provider of fresh water. Unfortunately, humans often ina insult ’rivers by dumping trash and waste into rivers instead of glorifying them.

 

On that occasion, there was also the Deputy Regent of Bantul, Abdul Halim Muslih and Bambang Sugiarta, Head of the DIY PSDA Department of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. In his remarks, Abdul Halim revealed the fate of es apes ’Bantul as the downstream owner of the Winongo river. As the last part of the river flow before going to sea, Bantul gets a lot of waste and pollution from the Sleman area and the City of Yogyakarta. This condition made Abdul encourage the people of Bantul to want to clean and maintain the quality of the river.

 

After the remarks, the event was continued with a gathering and river flow. The workshop is intended for residents, hamlet heads, and government agencies. While the river flow for members of the youth and the community caring for nature.

 

Torture the river

 

The workshop program was divided into two sessions. The first session was started by the Deputy Regent of Bantul. He stated, Bantul produced 600 tons of garbage. Unfortunately, only 200 tons can be processed properly so the rest goes into the river.

 

In the sharing session the Head of the Great Hall of the Opak River Serayu, Tri Bayu Aji reminded about the importance of rivers for human life. However, humans even torture the river by using river bodies for their own purposes. The ‘torture’ most often carried out by the community is the use of river bodies and garbage disposal.

 

According to Tri Bayu, for the prevention of river damage and pollution, it is necessary to educate the public to dispose of garbage in its place and urge residents who live on the banks of the river to back down their homes so that more water can be stored in the river.

 

Bambang Sugiarta, a waste-related problem, said that six major rivers in Yogyakarta had been contaminated with ecoli bacteria from solid waste and household and industrial wastewater.

 

Program of Stop Littering Irresponsibly that the government has been planned isn’t treated because of the septic flow of citizen tanks still flow to the river

 

In the question and answer session, Pugiyanto, the head of the UKKT said that residents always clean the river, but unfortunately there is no access to dispose of the trash. The same problem was also expressed by Oak Fajri, Head of Metuk Hamlet, Kretek. In addition, the program to stop open defecation that has been declared by the government has not been implemented because the flow of citizen septic tanks still flows into the river.

 

For the BAB issue, Ilham said the Bantul government was still implementing a privatization program. While for the waste program, Bambang said there are two waste management systems. Instead of the problem of dirt and household waste, the most worrying is that medical waste and factories are far more dangerous for river biota.

 

While about the building, Tri Bayu replied that the riverbank land could actually be used as a building, but not a permanent building. Large annual tree planting is prohibited.

The meeting session was closed with the idea of ​​forming a river task force team tasked with maintaining the cleanliness of the river. However, to really be able to maintain the condition of the river, it takes effort and synergy between the community and the government.

 

River flow

 

While the residents took part in the discussion, members of the youth organization and the natural care community joined the river stream program. In this program, participants around the Winongo river were guided by UGM KKN-UPN students. This program aims to introduce and open the eyes of participants about the condition of their rivers.

 

While walking along the river, participants were given education about the condition of the river through three posts. Posts 1 and 4 are biolithic posts administered by Indonesian Wild Water volunteer friends. In this post, participants were invited to look for river biota and then match them with local biota leaflets to identify river pollution levels. From the search for participants it was shown that the local biota was far less because it had been displaced by migrant biota.

The trail is continued to posts 2 and 3, namely the ecological post. There participants get an explanation of the relationship of each component in the food chain to form a river ecosystem. Then finally, posts 5 and 6 were filled by two members of the UGM KKN, Bondan and Metta. In this post participants get an explanation of the destructive power of water, the characteristics of water, the nature of water, the components of water pollutants, and much more.

 

After completing the river, the participants returned to the Donotirto Village Hall for a discussion of the results of river flow. From the results of river flow and this discussion, it is expected that the community, especially in young people, will maintain the condition of the river so that its condition is better.

 

Let’s take care of the condition and health of our river!

(Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/01/menyelamatan-sungai-menjaga-masa-depan-bangsa/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

 

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) recorded 223 cases of child sexual abuse occurred in February. This number increased sharply, considering last year’s 116 cases of child sexual abuse. The recent rise in child sexual abuse cases is evidence of a lack of sex education in children.

 

This happened because of the perception of the community who considered the taboo sex education for children. The issue of sex education is considered to be unusual and is actually considered to teach immorality. Even though the Ministry of Education and Culture has included material on sexual education in education at the level of Primary and Secondary Schools.

 

Seeing this condition, KKN-PPM UGM Team LA-002 who served in the province of Lampung, held a Socialization of Early Age Sex Education for elementary school children. The activity has been carried out three times in different locations.

 

The first socialization activity was held to coincide with the commemoration of National Children’s Day on July 24, 2018 at SD 01 Panggung Mulyo, Rawa Pitu District, Tulang Bawang Regency. The second is in Batang Hari Early Childhood Education in the Village on July 26, 2018. And the last is in Pertiwi Kindergarten, Batang Hari Village on July 31, 2018.

 

Animation video show a teacher teaching children related to parts of the body that may be determined and cannot be determined

 

The Socialization of Early Age Sex Education was conducted using media videos and children’s songs. In the animated video show featuring a teacher teaching children about which parts of the body can be touched and cannot be touched. Then continued singing the song ” Sentuhan Boleh Sentuhan Tidak Boleh” copyright Sri Seskya Situmorang sung by Indri Ayu Lestari.

 

Lyrics of the song:

 

Sentuhan boleh

Sentuhan boleh

Kepala tangan kaki

Karena sayang karena sayang

Karena sayang

Sentuhan tidak boleh

Sentuhan tidak boleh

Yang tertutup baju dalam

Hanya diriku hanya diriku

Yang boleh menyentuh

Sentuhan boleh

Sentuhan boleh

Kepala tangan kaki

Karena sayang karena sayang

Karena sayang

Sentuhan tidak boleh

Sentuhan tidak boleh

Yang tertutup baju dalam

Katakan tidak boleh

Lebih baik menghindar

Bilang ayah ibu.

 

The song was chosen because it was simple and easy for children to follow. In addition, it is also easy for children to understand to introduce about the types of touches that other people do to themselves. Touches can be done and accepted only on the child’s head, hands and feet. While the touch should not be, namely touching the body, chest, abdomen, around the pants.

 

This introduction is the first step to give understanding to children so they can take care of their bodies. It is hoped that in the future children will experience acts of harassment and can report to parents and teachers.

 

(Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/02/mahasiswa-ugm-sosialisasikan-pendidikan-seks-usia-dini-ke-anak/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

The potential of cassava in Batang Hari Village, Rawa Pitu District, Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung is very abundant. The vast area of plantations in the transmigrant area of Tulang Bawang Regency is a driving factor for productivity. In addition, the type of land is suitable for plantations.

 

Even though it has around 300 Ha of cassava plantations, cassava still has not been ogled to become a superior product. The main problem faced is that cassava farmers directly sell raw cassava without being processed first. The selling price of cassava is fairly cheap, which is around Rp1,500 / kg.

 

This is very sad. Suppose the community can process it into processed food products, of course it has very high added value. On the other hand, wheat flour-based consumption continues to increase to 11.48 million tons in 2017. According to Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, wheat consumption rose 9% from the previous year (2016).

 

Other than import, wheat is also contain gluten. Gluten is a protein that can disturb health, especially for celiac disease patients.

 

People usually use flour for almost a variety of processed foods such as cakes, noodles, bread and so on, so that local food raw materials are neglected. In fact, besides having to be imported, flour also contains gluten. Gluten is a protein that can interfere with health, especially for people with celiac disease.

 

Allergy to gluten protein causes immune disorders. Cassava does not contain gluten so it can be the right solution for innovating foods that are safe for health.

 

Neglected Potential

 

Seeing the potential of large but neglected local food, UGM KKN-PPM students 2018 LA-002 units took the initiative to invite the Batang Hari villagers to “Go Local Food”. This was realized by training local food processing with PKK mothers in Batang Hari Village Hall on August 2, 2018 which was attended by 25 people.

 

The processed cassava products are in the form of cheese cassava sponge and bubble milk tea. Bolu which is usually made from flour is now replaced with cassava with the aim of reducing the use of flour. Bubble milk tea is made from raw tapioca flour. The two recipes were introduced to the public as entrepreneurial references for the Batang Hari community.

 

Cassava balls are made by steaming a mixture of cassava starch which was previously peeled, then shredded and squeezed the water so that there is the essence. Then cassava starch, eggs, refined sugar, and SP are stirred until they expand and are white. The cheese that has been grated is then mixed. After that the flour and cassava that has been grated with a ratio of 1: 6, baking powder, melted margarine, and cooking oil are then stirred with spatula until evenly distributed. After becoming the mixture then steamed for 40 minutes. Cassava balls are ready to be served.

 

In addition to the procedure for making, the UGM student team also gives direction on marketing related to the importance of having a brand. One of the brands is used to differentiate with other products. The brand used for bubble milk tea is Num-num’s.

 

Branding is very important, because most MSME products do not use it. As a result, their products are purchased by other parties. Then, other parties give their own brands and sell them more expensive.

 

It is hoped that this training can increase the added value of cassava. Finally, processed cassava can prosper the community of the Batang Hari village transmigration area.

 

 

(Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/03/go-pangan-lokal-mahasiswa-ugm-mengolah-singkong-jadi-bubble-milk-tea/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

Dishes Menu held in the wedding tradition in Telaga Langsat in July 6^th 2018. Photo by Rahquel Inez

Telaga Langsat, is a village located in the Telaga Langsat sub-district, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan. The village is divided by rivers that flow in the middle of the village and affect the naming of the area, namely the area located on the north side of the river is called “Banua Hanyar”.

The name comes from the Banjar language, Banua, which means village and Hanyar, which means new. Naming is based on the beginning of the occupation of the area which is no longer than the southern part.

The population of Telaga Langsat Village consists of 442 family heads (KK). Most of the villagers are Banjar tribes. The interesting thing about this area is that there is still a strong culture. This can be seen from the use of the Banjar language, the houses of the people in the form of traditional houses, forms of wedding traditions, and performing arts.

Banjar language

Banjar is an everyday language, both young and old. The language of banjar itself has uploads like Javanese. Like for example the use of the words “ikam” and “pian”, both words have the same meaning namely “you”. However, its use is different, “ikam” is used for younger people or peers. Whereas, “pian” is used for older people or higher ranks. The word shows respect and courtesy.

The shape of the house in the village is mostly a stilt house with the whole material made of wood. This type of wood is determined to be strong for years. Wood that is commonly used is ironwood (ulin), wood which is famous for being hard and can last long even though it is exposed to rain and heat.

While the house roof is composed of zinc, if using tiles it will put a heavy burden on the composition of the house in the form of wood. The consideration of using zinc is because it is lightweight, easy to get, and affordable.

Marriage tradition in these areas are still rich in gotong royong (mutual cooperation) culture. Surrounding neighborhoods, especially mothers went to the host’s house in droves to help preparing cuisine

 While the tradition of marriage in the area is still full of the culture of mutual cooperation around the community, especially mothers. People flock to homes that have the intention to help prepare a menu for the next day.

Because the majority of the people are farmers, the dishes must be cooked before 6 in the morning. Because residents will come to the “appeal” at 6 in the morning before they leave for the rice fields. The menu served is also typical, starting from ketupat kandangan, soto banjar, haruan fish / smoked cork and sweet and sour vegetables with dried fish, for other menus is an additional menu.

An interesting thing is how to eat the menu. In eating ketupat kandangan people immediately use their hands. According to residents, this causes the taste of cuisine to be more enjoyable and is a characteristic in eating ketupat kandangan.

Art Shows

Wayang Kulit show in the Marriage ceremony in Telaga Langsat, South Kalimantan. Photo by Aswin Wahyu K.

In the weddings, there are several hosts performing art shows, including wayang kulit, kuntau, and pending music. The wayang kulit show has similarities to the wayang kulit in Java. The difference is that there are fewer puppets and in the performance components there are no gamelan and sinden.

In addition to shadow puppets, the performances held at night are pending music which is a musical instrument. The way to sound it is picked like a guitar. In the performance, other gamelan components such as drums and guitars are needed to beautify the music. In addition, there are sinden and dancers that complement the pending musical performances.

However, the show has not been held for a long time, because of the riots at each show. The reason is that every citizen can answer and dance with the dancers. That is what causes chaos. If wayang kulit and pending music are carried out at night, there are performances held during the day, namely kuntau.

Preparing Sesajen

A citizen was doing Kuntau in Telaga Langsat Village. Photo by Rahquel Inez

 The show is a martial performance such as pencak silat, which can be played solo (alone) to show the beauty of the movement or both like fighting. The show is accompanied by music and accompanied by elders or elders. If unwanted things like trance occur, the elders will take action.

Usually trance events occur in residents who are still descendants of “datuk” or great-grandparents who have the ability to stunt. It is believed that the spirit of “Datuk” will come when the performance takes place, so that residents must prepare offerings in the form of black coffee. Trance can occur when offerings are not prepared or someone drinks the offerings.

The thick culture is a form of people’s appreciation for their own culture. If there is no appreciation, culture will be lost in this modern era. Strong foundations must be instilled early on with local residents so that their cultural wealth is not lost or claimed by the state.

(Author: Rohmi Salamah ; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/05/telaga-langsat-warga-banua-dan-budayanya/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

BPBD Tulang Bawang Officer and UGM Student were demonstrating Handling of Disaster Victim. Photo by KKN-PPM UGM team of LA-002

Disaster is a series of events that have an impact on material and life losses that must be anticipated. Ready or not, we must be prepared to face disaster. Even though it cannot be avoided, at least the material and life losses due to the disaster can be minimized.

Among the many disasters that hit humans, floods became one of the disasters that became a scourge for residents in the Rawa Pitu District, Tulang Bawang, Lampung. Almost every year this region becomes a flood customer from the overflowing of the Tulang Bawang River and the Pidada River which crushes the area.

Seeing these alarming conditions, the students of the KKN-PPM Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta 2018 unit LA-002 initiated a disaster management socialization event at the Rawa Pitu District Hall on Thursday (02/08). This effort was carried out by collaborating with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tulang Bawang Regency to provide an understanding of disaster management. This activity is intended to improve the ability of the community to deal with floods in particular.

Officials of BPBD Tulang Bawang were delivering materials related to disasters to the public of Rawa Pitu. Photo by KKN-PPM UGM team

Dissemination is carried out by delivering general materials about disasters and continuing with efforts to deal with minor fires and first aid to victims of accidents and sinking. Not only that, the activity was accompanied by direct practice of helping victims when a disaster occurred to make it easier for people to understand it.

Subari, one of the village heads said, many people did not know what actions to take when they found a disaster. He hoped that the activity could provide a new understanding for residents to be responsive in facing natural disasters, especially floods.

Villagers in Rawa Pitu District welcomed the socialization. They are enthusiastic to learn it. The smooth running of the activity was attended by five village heads and 20 heads of neighborhood groups in the Rawa Pitu Sub-District.

Noermal, chairman of the Bulang Bawang BNPB stated, flooding was a natural disaster they did not expect. Therefore the community must always be ready to respond when a disaster occurs. Thus, it is expected that material and mental losses can be minimized as well as possible.

(Author: Ismail Yusuf ; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/05/mahasiswa-ugm-dan-bpbd-sosialisasikan-manajemen-hadapi-bencana/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

Students were reading books in Batang Hari Village, Tulang Bawang, Lampung. Photo by Nur Izzatul Ulum

Reading is very important, not only for children, but also for adults. Access to reading materials is an important foundation before reading habits are applied to the community.

In Friday (03/08/2018) KKN-PPM UGM students LA-002 officially annouced the Batang Hari Reading Park which was attended by 53 students from SDN 01 Satap Batang Hari. The decision to make the reading park was based on the findings of 29 KKN-PPM UGM students assigned to serve in Batang Hari Village, Rawa Pitu Sub-District, Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung.

They conducted a mapping of the problem and found that it was difficult to access searching for reading and reference material. Based on these findings, KKN-PPM UGM students decided to make a reading park.

This reading park was made inside the Posyandu building located next to the Batang Hari Village Hall. Reasons for choosing a posyandu building location because it is more strategic and easier to reach by the community. This Hall is also the only place where Wi-Fi Nusantara can be accessed. The existence of the Reading Park was also intended as a children’s playground when they waited for their mother who was participating in the village hall.

Enthusiasm was felt when the event took place. At the official announcement event, each child took a book and read it in every corner of the Posyandu. This quiet place was suddenly filled with children who read books. The children’s reading room feels full when students take books, the middle room is an adult reading room, and the posyandu terrace is also full of students.

Smiles and laughter were heard from every corner of the room. Not a few who read the book aloud so that the atmosphere became crowded. Some children also fight over books and toys to add to the boisterous atmosphere of the reading garden.

Donation from Kagama

Reading Park in Batang Hari Village was full of students from SDN 01 One-stop Batang Hari. Photo by Nur Izzatul Ulum

This reading park consists of two parts with different rooms. A special room for books and educational games for children and another room for books for adults. The books available include books on agriculture, animal husbandry, psychology, science, law, economics, social, religion, health, magazines and entertainment.

These books are books that already exist in smart house. Besides that, KAGAMA or the Gadjah Mada Alumni Family in Lampung also participated. They donated books and funds to make the reading park.

In addition to books, for children there are also several educational games that are provided, among others, puzzles, congklak, chess, ball, lego and so on. An educational game is intended so that children who are not bored in reading parks and reading gardens will be a fun place for children to learn and play.

There is a Smart House

 Currently there are actually available smart house buildings provided by the Tulang Bawang Regency Government that come from the assistance of the Ministry of Transmigration and Disadvantaged Villages. This building has adequate facilities.

There were two workspaces, two bathrooms, one stage hallway, one hall, two large bookshelves and several tables and chairs for children. Unfortunately when reviewed, the building did not get enough maintenance and there seemed to be no attempt to activate the place.

There are Nine Sets of Books from Central Government’s Donation in 2011 for Every Village in Rawa Pitu Sub-district. However, Those Books were Still in the Boxes.

 In addition there were also nine sets of aid books from the center in 2011 for each village in the Rawa Pitu District. However, the books are still in the box.

The new reading park will be open to the public every day for residents who want to add insight. In addition to the children’s learning container, this place can also be used as a more comfortable waiting room for children, mothers and seniors while waiting for the queue of examinations at the posyandu.

The management of the reading park will later be handed over to the village operators so that the reading park becomes a more useful place for a longer period of time.

(Author: Nur Izzatul Ulum; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/05/mahasiswa-ugm-bangun-taman-baca/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

UGM Student giving a class on media literacy to Junior High Shool student in Sumber Agung. Photo by KKN-PPM UGM team

Nowadays, internet has been an unseparable things from the youths in this era. From the cities to villages, internet has become a common thing to know for them. This internet phenomenon is also happening for the neighborhood of Rawa Pitu, Tulang Bawang, Lampung.

Even though this area is categorized as a remote are, this area has been covered by a high speed internet. This internet access is provided by telecommunication services provide and “Internet Masuk Desa” program by Ministry of Communication and Informatics of Indonesia.

Like a double-edged knife, the existence of internet within the society definitely has positive and negative potentials. Moreover, most of the internet users in Rawa Pitu are students and young adults. Unfortunately, most of the internet is used only for entertainment purposes like YouTube, Facebook, and online gaming. They were not using the internet for the sake of education yet. The lack of guidance for the students to use internet is feared to the student to misuse the internet advantages they have.

Beginning from that condition, KKN-PPM team Unit LA-002 Lampung initiated media literacy education. The event was called “The Benefits of Internet for Education”. This event was targeting students in Rawa Pitu to make them to be wiser to use the internet. This event was involveing 2 Junior High, 1 Senior High, and 1 Vacational School in Rawa Pitu, specifically for 9^th grade of Junior High and 10^th-12^th grade of Senior High/Vocational school.

Need the help from the school

 Besides to suggest the students to be wiser to use the internet, other target of this media literacy is the schools. Schools hopefully can direct the student intensively in accessing the internet. Schools involvement was very important because time and power limitations for the UGM students to get involve, so the help from schools are needed for further approaches.

Media literacy education is done by taking turns from one school to another in three weeks. The first event was done in SMP Negeri 1 Sumber Agung in July 18^th 2018. Anda SMK Negeri 1 Sumber Agung, July 19^th 2018. The second event was done in SMP Negeri 1 Panggung Mulyo in July 25^th 2018. The next event was done in SMA Negeri 1 Rawa Pitu (July 30^th 2018) and it was ended in MA Batang Hari on July 31^st 2018.

The term “Book is the window of the world” now has turned into “Internet is the window of the world”.

Media literacy education class was given by showing videos of important persons in the history of telecommunication developments, introduction to internet facility, and motivational stories related to the people who were successfully benefits from the inter. Telecommunication technology development from ancient human to the discovery of computer was the biggest discovery in human history.

The invention of LAN networking which later evolved into the internet made the society easy to support their daily lives. The internet makes it easy for students to find study materials, study online, find competitions information, buy transportation tickets and more. Through this materials, students in Rawa Pitu are expected to be able to understand the history of the development of telecommunications technology and the good use of the internet.

This media literacy education is the first step for students to introduce the benefits of the internet in the lives of students. The term “book is a window to the world” has now been replaced with “the internet is the window of the world”. The committee hopes that the media literacy education will make Rawa Pitu students able to use the internet as a world window, especially for the purpose of education in supporting their learning activities.

Happiness of the Students of SMAN 1 Rawa Pitu, during the class of media literacy education. Photo by: KKN-PPM UGM Unit LA-002

(Author: Ismail Yusuf; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/05/membuka-wawasan-pelajar-rawa-pitu-lewat-pendidikan-literasi-media/ ; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

The latest condition of Embung construction in Humusu Wini Village, Timor Tengah Utara Municipal (NTT). Photo by Reynaldo D.R. Sondi

Embung is a basin designed to contain waters. The function of Embung is similar to the function of a reservoir or a dam. Things that disseminates Embung and dam are just the capacity of containment and coverage area of the Embung. Embung has much smaller capacity than a dam.

In terms of the small amount of storage capacity. The usage of water that is contained by the Embung is not as large as dam. Water contained in an Embung is usually allocated for rice fields irrigation. In the other hand, Embung also can be used for public open-space.

One example is Embung Tambak Boyo in Yogyakarta. This embung is usually used by the community to exercise in the afternoon. Source of water in the Embung comes from the rivers or rainfall. Embung can be built in a location that has no rivers around.

In the era of President Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla, embung is one of priority program of the government. Recently the government is intensifying the construction of embung to boost the national food production.

The village of Humusu Wini, Insana Utara Subdistrict, Timor Tengah Utara Municipal, is not having an embung. Even though the construction of Embung has been planned since 2010, the development of the contruction is relatively stagnant. Embung in Humusu Wini is located in Tubu. Recently, the condition of this embung is just in digging phase. Since the beginning of 2018, there is no further development in the embung.

Food Security

One of the priority of the government is “Building Indonesia from the Borders by Strengthening Subdistricts and Villages in the Framework of Unitary State”. That priority is stated in National Mid-term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2015-2019 Chapter VI about National Development Agenda. If we switch for a while to Priority Job Plant (RKP) of the government in 2018, food security was the priority of the government. Seeing those facts, it can be inferred the lines between those two sectors.

Let’s take a look for a while to the agriculture condition in Humusu Wini. Almost there is no full time in these border village. Usually, the farmers just work on the rice fields in the rainy seasons, while the rice fields is empty in dry seasons.

In dry seasons, most of the farmers switch their profession into fishermen or Asam farmer.

 It has been a common scenery to see  a yellow and dry rice fields along the road in the village. Moreover, Humusu Wini includes in one of the village that has a difficulty to get access to water, and rarely rain. This village on has 10mm/year of rainfall (BPS, 2016). In dry seasons, most of the farmers switch their profession into fishermen or Asam farmer.

Keep in mind that Asam tree can grow well in dry seasons, most of the farmers make this choice as the last option to earn a living. Of course, it is not so good for the economy and food security in Humusu Wini.

According to Center of Statistics Board (BPS) in Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Municipal, in 2015, rice productivity in TTU is 2708 tons/hectare. Insana Utara subdistrict has a rice field as wide as 580 hectare (BPS, 2016). It means that 1570.64 tons of rice can be produced each year. However, it is still relatively low.

If there is embung support in the villages in Insana Utara Subdistrict, of course this amount can increase. Because the water from the embung can be flowed into the fields, so that the fields can be irrigated all the time. Thus there will be no more sight of empty rice fields during the dry season.

Later with the embung, of course residents and the local government can design an irrigation channel that can irrigate all fields in Humusu Wini Village. If that is realized, it will certainly help the farmers of the village. The presence of embung that will store rain water will certainly create irrigation channels that drain water into the fields so farmers can work on the land throughout the year.

In the long term, rice cultivation of two to three in a year can be realized. With the increase in rice production, of course this can support the food security of Humusu Wini Village, and support the village economy from the agricultural sector.

(Author: Reynaldo Daniel Ruma Sondi ; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/06/embung-kunci-pertanian-berkelanjutan-humusu-wini/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

Moms in Teluk Beringin Village, Kuansing Municipal, Riau was following instructions to make an instant turmeric drinks. Photo: KKN-PPM UGM Unit RI-004

Village of Teluk Beringin, Gunung Toar Subdistrict, Kuansing Municipal, Riau has a broad area of rubber plantation. Various plants also grow around the rubber plantation, one of the plants is Turmeric Plant.

Turmeric plant can be found easily in the plantation between the rubber plants an also grows in the residents’ households. Turmeric has a lot of benefits, one of them is that it can be used as a anti-inflammation potion, reducing nausea, and relieving diarrhea.

Turmeric plants in Teluk Beringin Village is not fully developed to be beneficial. Residents only made the use of turmeric plants in terms of daily usage such as additional seasonings for cooking. Turmeric plants can also grow without any special attention.

Seeing this condition, KKN-PPM UGM team with PKK tried to process turmeric as an instant drink to benefit the plants around the households as an innovation product that can be done by the moms. The residents responded this innovation enthusiastically. The following the training of making an instant turmeric powder into beneficial drink. Expectation of this activity was to make the residents aware to process turmeric plant into a valuable product

Student of UGM was holding the turmeric powder produced by the village. Photo: KKN-PPM UGM team RI-004

Making Processes:

Peel turmeric then clean it, then add ½ cup of water and put it in a blender, after smooth blending and strain using a filtering tool to take the turmeric juice.

The next step is to put it in a skillet to cook, mix ½ kilogram of sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt, stir until boiling and brown in color. After turning brownish, add 1/2 kilogram of the remaining sugar while stirring constantly until it crystallizes.

Next, after the crystals are smoothed using a blender to get instant turmeric powder. In order to produce turmeric powder, a ratio of 1: 2 is needed, 1 kilogram of instant turmeric requires 2 kilograms of sugar.

(Author: Dela Khoirul Ainia; Source: https://muda.kompas.id/2018/08/07/manfaatkan-kunyit-menjadi-minuman-instan/; translator: Harun Ardiansyah)

 

VALORAnews – A total of 29 students of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) held Community Empowerment Learning (KKN) Lectures on Community Empowerment (PPM) in Tarantang and Harau Nagari, Harau District. The prospective intellectuals will serve in the two nagari locations of the Harau Valley tourist attraction for 50 days.

The group of students from various clusters was received by the Limapuluh Kota Regent, H Irfendi Arbi in the Harau District Head office in daming a number of OPD heads on Monday (6/25/2018). Irfendi was happy and welcomed the presence of the student.

He hopes that the students can contribute and provide input for improving the economy of the community and tourism development of Limapuluh Kota Regency, especially the Harau Valley. He hopes that the KKN will be successful and smooth.

“We are sure that the KKN students from UGM will make a real contribution to the Tarantang and Harau Nagari, especially the tourism sector. We hope that the presence of the students will make Limapuluh Kota’s flagship tourism promotion more intense,” said Irfendi.

Irfendi hopes that students from the favorite university can understand all the potential and problems that exist in the community, including economic and social issues, to offer the best alternative solutions.

“We also hope that this student activity will also make changes in mindset and people’s behavior in a better way,” said Irfendi.

Separately, KKN PPM UGM Coordinator  of Student Unit (Kornit) in Tarantang, Afifah accompanied by one of the Akhila students admitted to being flattered by the Limapuluh Kota Regent’s welcome. Especially with the statement of the regent to guarantee the cooperation of the Limapuluh Kota Regency Government for the success of this UGM student KKN program.

“We were truly impressed by the greeting from the Regent Irfendi Arbi. We did not expect to be welcomed directly by him,” said Afifah who was accompanied by the Head of Jorong Tarantang, Petri Melki and Chairperson of Bamus Nagari Tarantang, Yanuar Khatib.

It was said, in this KKN activity the group of students would carry out a number of tourism promotion activities in the Harau Valley. The forms of activities include making the Nagari Tarantang and Harau websites, and making a video of the beauty of the Harau Valley by using drones.

“One of our plans is to create a nagari website and a video about the natural beauty of the Harau Valley to promote Limapuluh Kota’s flagship tourism objects to the world. We support Harau Mendunia which is the slogan of the Harau Valley,” said Afifah.

 

(Source: http://www.valora.co.id/berita/10610/29-mahasiwa-kkn-ugm-akan-videokan-pesona-lembah-harau.html; AI Mangindo Kayo; Translator: M. Brilian P.)