EMPOWERMENT OF FARMER GROUPS THROUGH YARD-BASED CULTIVATION OF PLANTATION CROPS TO SUPPORT FOOD SECURITY IN PAYA PASIR VILLAGE, MEDAN MARELAN SUBDISTRICT, MEDAN CITY

Abstract

Paya Pasir Village, Medan Marelan Subdistrict, Medan City is a coastal area with considerable home-yard land potential that has not been optimally utilized by the community, particularly the local farmer groups. Most household yards remain vacant or are only covered with wild vegetation, even though this land has the potential to be developed as a source of food and additional family income through the cultivation of economically valuable plantation crops such as dwarf coconut, red ginger, turmeric, citronella grass, cabe jamu, and moringa. This community service activity aims to empower farmer groups through extension services, technical cultivation training, mentoring, and the establishment of a demonstration plot to support household and regional food security. The implementation method consists of socialization and needs assessment, extension and training on yard-scale plantation crop cultivation techniques, the establishment of a demonstration plot, periodic field mentoring, and evaluation using pretest and posttest instruments. The results show an increase in the knowledge and skills of farmer group members in sandy yard land preparation, nursery techniques, polybag and vertical planting systems, organic fertilization, and integrated pest and disease management. The demonstration plot built together with the partners serves as a practical learning tool as well as a real, replicable example of productive yard utilization. This activity is expected to become a sustainable model of yard-based community empowerment that strengthens household-level food security and can be replicated in other areas.