Harmony Garden Grows New Hope in Huntara Aceh Tamiang

JAKARTA - In the midst of limited living in temporary housing (Huntara) after the flood and landslide disaster, a glimmer of hope grows from a garden. Survivors in Aceh Tamiang Regency have now managed to harvest hydroponic vegetables and catfish from cultivation together through the Harmony Garden Program. More than just producing food, this harvest is a symbol that the spirit to rise can grow when people learn, work, and strengthen each other together.

Every plant that is cared for and every pond of catfish that is maintained is part of the residents' recovery journey. The Harmony Garden not only provides fresh vegetables and a source of protein for families in Huntara, but also creates a common space where residents can learn from each other, share experiences, and rebuild confidence after the disaster.

The Harmony Garden program is a collaboration between PT East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) and the School of Life Sciences and Technology of the Bandung Institute of Technology (SITH ITB) to support community recovery through a food security approach based on empowerment. Instead of only providing temporary food assistance, this program equips people with knowledge, skills, and guidance so that they can produce food independently, both during their stay at Huntara and after returning to their homes.

Over the past few months, residents have taken part in training in hydroponic vegetable cultivation, the use of growboxes in limited land, catfish cultivation with bioflok systems, to the manufacture of liquid organic fertilizer and bokashi. Assistance is carried out gradually so that the community not only understands cultivation techniques, but is also able to care for, manage, and harvest the results independently.

Obi, an Aceh hydroponics activist who accompanied this program, said that the benefits of the Harmony Garden far exceeded the harvest.

"The most happy thing is not only seeing the vegetables grow, but seeing the residents regain the spirit to work together. They learn, help each other, and begin to believe that they are able to meet some of their family's food needs. Hopefully, when they return to their respective homes, they will still carry this knowledge and continue to develop it," he said in a written statement, Tuesday, August 4.

For many families in Huntara, this harvest has a simple but important meaning. Vegetables picked by themselves help reduce household expenses, while catfish are an easily accessible source of protein. More than that, gardening activities present a positive routine that strengthens relationships between residents and helps the psychosocial recovery process after facing disasters.

The joint harvest was also attended by the Deputy Regent of Aceh Tamiang, Head of the Aceh Tamiang Regency Agriculture and Livestock Service, Head of Bundar Village, and Head of Kota Village. The presence of these stakeholders is a form of support for efforts to build community food security through sustainable empowerment.

On this occasion, the Deputy Regent of Aceh Tamiang hopes that the Harmony Garden can become a symbol of the community's post-disaster revival, where the spirit of togetherness becomes a strength to face challenges and rebuild a more independent life.

In many post-disaster situations, the recovery process is often identical to the rebuilding of houses and infrastructure. In fact, rebuilding life also means bringing hope, restoring confidence, and opening opportunities for people to be productive again. These values are what grow with every seed planted in the Harmony Garden.

Vice President Director of PT East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO), Isak Heryawan, said that the success of this program is not measured by the amount of harvest, but by the growth of the community's ability to rise together.

"At EWINDO, we believe that seeds are the beginning of hope. Therefore, our contribution does not stop at providing seeds. Through the Harmony Garden, we want to share knowledge, accompany the community, and help build their ability to produce food independently. When people are able to plant, harvest, and share the results together, that is where food security and hope begin to grow," said Isak.

Through the Harmony Garden, EWINDO together with SITH ITB hopes that more communities will feel that post-disaster recovery is not only about returning to having a place to live, but also about rebuilding capabilities, togetherness, and hope for a better future.