Jakarta to Build Urban Farming in Every Mayor's Office Building

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Food, Marine, and Agriculture Security Agency (KPKP) determined to build urban farming, which is being initiated in the City Hall, in every mayor's office building. The agency head Darjamuni said the city administration had promoted the concept through the Balkot Farm.

“The city administration has started it by opening Balkot Farm to introduce urban farming in Jakarta,” said Darjamuni while inspecting the green space, Tuesday, August 6.

Darjamuni explained the program is making use of the information and technology. “Each plant has a barcode. People can scan it to find out the type of the plant,” he added.

According to him, the program development supported by Jakarta Communication and Informatics Agency will be established by the two agencies in each city/regency.

In Balkot Farm, he went on, there are more than 400 plants–23 plants of them are vegetable plants and 40 plants of them are medicinal plants (toga).

“This will help greening up the capital city,” Darjamuni remarked.

Tempo observed that the 7x15-meter farm located in the City Hall implements hydroponics and conventional system. The place also has long chairs and bamboo hut for visitors to enjoy the site.

The head of Jakarta Communication, Informatics, and Statistics, Atika Nur Rahmania, said that her agency will further promote the program, especially in office buildings. “It doesn’t require broad area, it can be established vertically,” she said.

Atika also explained that the Jakarta city administration had prepared a reference of plants suitable for the urban farming program starting from flowers, vegetables, up to medicinal herbs.

IMAM HAMDI