Introduksi Model FONi Mina-hortikultura di Dinas Ketahanan Pangan, Pertanian dan Perikanan, Kota Tasikmalaya

Abstract

The Powerless Automatic Fertigator (FONi) is an appropriate technology designed to maintain soil moisture at an optimum range and meet plant water requirements based on evapotranspiration rates without using electricity. In various types of crop cultivation, FONi has been shown to increase land, water, and labor productivity. This initiative aims to introduce FONi for mina-horticulture (integrated fish and vegetable farming) at the Department of Food Security, Agriculture, and Fisheries (DKP3) in Tasikmalaya City. In this setup, FONi is integrated with catfish farming in tanks located upstream of the vegetable cultivation area. The vegetable growing media receives drainage water from the fish tanks through the bottom. Water levels in both the tanks and the growing media are kept constant using float valves. Additionally, CCTV is used to monitor plant growth and other activities at all times. Since May 2025, various crops have been successfully harvested, including water spinach, tomatoes, chili peppers, lettuce, eggplant, and more. Similarly, the catfish have thrived, growing from fingerling size to a harvest weight of 4 fish per kilogram. To date, the harvests have been enjoyed by department employees; specifically, every Friday morning, harvesting vegetables has become a part of the weekly "krida" (communal activity) event. Information about the project has been disseminated through workshops and publications in several mass media outlets. The site has also hosted visits from the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and their staff, as well as the general public. As a follow-up, plans have been developed to install FONi Polycultures at the PKK central activity office and to establish People’s Food Gardens (KPR) in several village offices, particularly those identified as having poverty issues. This appropriate technology is expected to contribute to the provision of healthy and affordable food, specifically to help reduce the malnutrition rate, which currently stands at approximately 5.5% of the population in Tasikmalaya City.