Community and Catalytic Projects: Semarang, Indonesia

Urban farming and food security

Urban farming is still fairly new in Semarang, although some early efforts have been made. Urban farming is seen as having potential to both address food security in the face of Semarang’s growing population. In addition, urban farming could create new economic opportunities, providing new sources of income for its residents as well as encouraging environmentally friendly business practices while increasing the quality of life in the city.

Different agencies in the city have experimented with urban farming however, current efforts have not been integrated. A study on the state of food security in Semarang is currently underway so that the city can better understand the unmet needs urban farming can fill.

There are also several pilot projects at a community and household scale that deploy technologies such as garden optimization; hydroponic; aquaponic; and fruit in containers plantation. While early results have been promising, these community-driven efforts have challenges in terms of replicability and scalability, especially with regards to professionalizing the practice to make it economically viable.

Investment/Partnership Opportunity:

In order to better understand the potential for and inform a best practice approach to urban farming, Semarang will need support to conduct further analysis around how urban farming can support food security and economic viability in the city.

Semarang also requires expertise to better understand how to use urban farming as an economic driver in the city.

Finally, Semarang seeks co-investment and technical expertise to support a pilot project (informed by the above analysis) to test professionally managed urban farming at the community scale.

Contact:

M. Luthfi Eko Nugroho, Semarang City Resilience Team
mluthfi83@gmail.com