Sumberharjo Village-Owned Enterprise Successfully Cultivates Premium Melons
Sleman (ANTARA) - The Sumberharjo Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumkal) in Prambanan District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), has successfully developed premium melon cultivation on local village-owned land. The premium melon cultivation, managed by the Sumber Tumuwuh Farmers Group under Bumkal Sumberharjo, held its first harvest on Sunday, attended by the Regent of Sleman, Harda Kisway andwa.
“This premium melon cultivation utilises village-owned land through a programme supported by funding from the DIY Special Region Fund,” said the Director of Bumkal Sumberharjo, Choirun Sutrisno. He noted that the land was previously unproductive but has been optimised into a premium melon cultivation area using greenhouse technology as an effort to increase agricultural productivity and drive community economic growth. The varieties planted include Kaori and Dalmatian melons.
He added that, in addition to supporting food security, the premium melon cultivation also has the potential to be developed as an agro-tourism destination. During this inaugural harvest, the group managed to produce over 50 kilograms of melons.
The Regent of Sleman, Harda Kiswaya, expressed his appreciation for Bumkal Sumberharjo’s innovation in optimising the use of village land for productive and economically valuable activities. “I appreciate and am proud of this. Bumkal must work as effectively as possible in accordance with existing programmes, so that it truly provides benefits, including helping to increase village finances,” he said.
He stated that the agricultural sector remains one of the primary potentials for driving the village economy. With a land area of approximately 2.5 hectares, the development of modern horticulture is considered to have significant opportunities for further expansion through creativity, innovation, and sustainable management. “This is very potential; the village can drive the economic engine through agriculture, and it is hoped that the next harvest will be even better,” he added.
Harda hopes that the development of this agricultural area will continue to be strengthened through collaboration with the Sleman Regency Department of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries, particularly in the provision of seeds for various agricultural commodities. He noted that such synergy will further optimise land use, increase agricultural productivity, and expand economic benefits for the community. Through the productive use of village land, the Sleman Regency Government continues to encourage the development of innovation-based agriculture to strengthen food security, improve community welfare, and achieve economic independence at the village level.