Pemberdayaan Lansia Melalui Budidaya dan Pengolahan Microgreen: Solusi Ketahanan Pangan dan Kesehatan Keluarga

Abstract

The increasing number of older adults requires empowerment strategies that can support independence, food security, and quality of life. Older adults in RT 005/RW 05, Bambu Apus Subdistrict, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, have limited knowledge and skills in crop cultivation and the utilization of functional foods. This Community Service program aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of older adults through microgreen cultivation and processing as a source of healthy food that can be applied in limited spaces. This activity involved 20 older adults using a participatory approach through educational sessions and hands-on practices. The activities consisted of counseling, microgreen cultivation practices, food product processing, and mentoring. Participants received education on the characteristics, nutritional content, health benefits, and potential of microgreens as functional foods. Furthermore, participants were trained to cultivate pakcoy microgreens using cocopeat as a growing medium planted in thin wall plastic containers, including media preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvesting. Participants then harvested the microgreens and utilized the harvest for processing into various healthy food products, such as salads, juices, sandwiches, and omelets. The results showed an improvement in participants’ knowledge and skills regarding the benefits of microgreens, simple cultivation techniques, and their utilization as a source of healthy family food. Participants understood that microgreen cultivation can be carried out in limited spaces around their homes and can serve as a productive activity supporting food independence. In addition, participants gained experience in processing harvested microgreens into more diverse and value-added food products. The empowerment activity through microgreen cultivation and processing demonstrates that simple agricultural technology can be applied to urban older adult communities to support household food security, nutritious food consumption, and productive activities among older adults.