Upaya Mengurangi Ketergantungan Pupuk Kimia Melalui Pendampingan Hidroponik sebagai Solusi Pertanian Modern Di Desa Bojongloa, Kab. Sumedang

Abstract

The massive use of chemical fertilizers has become one of the major problems in the agricultural world, as the contents of chemical fertilizers are essentially a mixture of compounds with harsh properties. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers can also have negative impacts, such as soil degradation caused by increased acidity, which results in the hardening of soil structure and loss of porosity. Furthermore, excessive chemical fertilizer use can lead to decreased soil fertility, soil and water pollution, and ecosystem damage. Another issue with chemical fertilizers is their high cost, which makes them inaccessible to many farmers. Although government assistance with chemical fertilizers exists, its distribution is uneven, preventing all farmers from benefiting. This issue also affects Bojongloa Village, Buahdua District, Sumedang Regency, where most residents rely on chemical fertilizers.
This community service program, which runs from February 2024 to June 2024, targets the villagers and farmer groups in Bojongloa Village. The purpose of this Community Service activity is to provide education on alternative agricultural practices, specifically hydroponic methods, to the people of Bojongloa Village, Sumedang Regency. The application of hydroponic methods in agriculture is increasingly recognized as a modern solution aimed at reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. Hydroponics is a method of cultivating plants without soil, using water enriched with essential nutrients. This technology enables farmers to precisely control the nutrients given to plants, thereby minimizing the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and reducing potential negative environmental impacts, making it a viable alternative for modern agriculture. Additionally, hydroponic plants or vegetables appear fresher and healthier as they are organic, and the method does not require large land areas, allowing those without extensive land to still cultivate plants. The hydroponic system is also easy to maintain and environmentally friendly.The use of hydroponic methods provides a more environmentally friendly solution to increasing agricultural productivity. By using hydroponic systems such as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deep Water Culture (DWC), and aeroponics, farmers can optimize nutrient absorption by plants effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.
The implementation methods used in this Community Service activity include: 1) Public Outreach, where the community is provided with basic knowledge about seedling, hydroponic media creation, plant care, and harvesting; 2) Training, where the community participates in building hydroponic systems, including frames, water, and electrical systems; the team also conducts Focus Group Discussions with farmer groups to determine the types of vegetables to be planted in hydroponic media; and 3) Assistance, to ensure that the community understands proper hydroponic management. From these activities, it is expected that the community and farmers in Bojongloa Village will gain a solid understanding and be able to manage hydroponic systems effectively, so that vegetable production can improve the welfare of both the community and farmers, with produce that can be consumed directly or marketed to boost the local economy.