“At one of the pilot project locations of the Indonesian Communal Space (RBI) in Marunda Flats, we identified the economic potential of hydroponic farming. Unfortunately, it has yet to reach its full capacity, as current profits remain very low,” Deputy Minister Veronica Tan said in Jakarta on Sunday.
To address this, the ministry is working with the Ministry of Cooperatives, the Jakarta Provincial Government, and the private sector to develop a greenhouse at Marunda Flats, which has been managed for nine years.
A recent survey showed that profits from sales reached only Rp5 million (US$308). According to Tan, this figure could increase through the development of a stronger business model.
The harvest, which is managed and processed by women living in the flats, will be optimized and sold through cooperatives to expand market reach.
She added that the women’s empowerment initiative in the agricultural sector, which involves the local Red and White Cooperative, is part of efforts to support President Prabowo Subianto’s quick-win programs.
“We are still in the planning stage, and we will ensure that women, children, and families can benefit from this initiative,” Tan said.
The ministry emphasized that the program aims to sustainably strengthen women’s economic role from the ground up while also supporting national food security. The initiative is expected to help build a generation of healthy children, empowered women, and resilient families.
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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Primayanti
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