Lowokwaru (malangkota.go.id) – There was something interesting in the Cheap Exhibition Movement activity initiated by the Malang City Food Security and Agriculture Service (Dispangtan) at the Lowokwaru District office, Friday (24/11/2023). It was a booth from the Shinya Women Farmers Group (KWT) which provided exclusive and quality vegetables.
One of the members of KWT Shinya, Sugeng Kustinah, said that her vegetables are the result of farming on limited land in her area, namely in Polowijen Gang 2. Despite maximizing the limited land available, KWT Shinya can still exist because it has a trick to develop its business, namely by planting vegetables that are rarely sold in the market.
"There are moringa, papaya flowers, cassava leaves, bay leaves, sambal lime, strawberries, turi flowers, pokak, and others. These are what we plant and develop, vegetables and fruits that are rarely found in the market," explained Ina, Sugeng Kustinah's nickname.
Ina said that the public interest in looking for the vegetables and fruits she grows is very high. As exclusive vegetables, Ina said that the vegetables she cultivates are also guaranteed to be pesticide-free and healthier. "The increasing awareness of the public to live a healthy lifestyle makes the pesticide-free vegetables that we grow have their own market," said Ina.
KWT Shinya, Ina said, currently has 75 members, while 40 are active. This KWT also has a routine agenda, where every week all members are always active in holding meetings to discuss the development of the pioneering farming business.
In addition to focusing on vegetable cultivation, KWT Shinya also develops processed products from agricultural products. This way it becomes a way to develop a business amidst increasingly tight market competition.
Meanwhile, the Field Extension Officer (PPL) of Polowijen Village, Suci Arini said that in Polowijen there are two KWTs that are always accompanied until now. One of them is KWT Shinya which is currently struggling in vegetable business by utilizing narrow land.
"Because we utilize limited land, during our mentoring we directed KWT Shinya to produce vegetables that are not widely available in the market. Although it seems simple, vegetables like that actually have the opportunity to be sold at a good price," Suci explained. (cah/yon)
