Post-disaster recovery of smallholder farming requires interventions consistent with local resource conditions, farmer capacity, and market access. This community service activity aimed to map the farming problems of the Tanjung Sepakat Farmer Group in Batu Busuk, Pauh District, Padang City as a basis for disaster risk mitigation planning. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted using a structured guide covering post-disaster livelihoods, farming options, and production risks, institutional capacity, marketing, and sustainability. The Qualitative information was categorized descriptively and analyzed using Problem Tree Analysis to identify the main problem, root causes, and consequences. The FGD indicated that the main problem was the lack of a sustainable source of income for farmer groups after the disaster. Three interconnected root problem clusters were identified: limited and difficult-to-cultivate land conditions, limited production capacity and post-disaster extension support, and weak group institutional activity and market access. The group considered polybag-based cultivation of chili and eggplant to be a feasible alternative because i tis more flexible under limited land conditions and is consistent with members’ previous experience. Marketing through direct sales and potential partnership was identified, providing a participatory basis for subsequent intervention in cultivation, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and marketing.
Used cooking oil is a household waste that can be utilized through community-based processing. This activity aimed to improve community knowledge and practical skills in processing used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles. The activity used the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) method through five stages: Discovery, Dream, Design, Define, and Destiny. The participants were 20 members of PKK and Karang Taruna in Kutagugung Village. The technical practice used 250 g used cooking oil, 250 g paraffin (1:1), 25 g bleaching earth (10% of the used cooking oil mass), essential oil, and crayon coloring. Initial purification consisted of cloth filtration, mixing with bleaching earth, 24-hour settling, and filtration to separate the sediment. The activity produced aromatherapy candles and provided direct experience in waste utilization. A preliminary waste-potential estimate, derived from published household consumption benchmarks and village population data, indicates that Kutagugung may generate approximately 553.6 L of used cooking oil per month, or 18.5 L per day; this is an estimate and not a direct village measurement. Because numerical pre-test and post-test data were not collected during the documented activity, improvement in knowledge is reported qualitatively rather than as a fabricated percentage. The activity demonstrates that used cooking oil can be developed as a local environmental asset through community participation.
The utilization of local history as a learning resource represents an important approach to fostering contextual and meaningful history education. Nevertheless, the potential of local historical heritage in Batu City, particularly the Songgoriti Hot Spring Site, has not yet been optimally incorporated into history teaching practices. This article aims to describe the implementation of a community engagement program designed to enhance the professional competence of history teachers affiliated with the Batu City History Teachers’ Association (MGMP) in utilizing the Songgoriti Hot Spring Site as an innovative local history learning resource. The program was implemented through three stages: pre-activity, activity implementation, and post-activity. The pre-activity stage included an assessment of the partners’ problems and needs, as well as the preparation of instructional materials and media. During the implementation stage, participants received three sessions covering the archaeological heritage potential of Batu City, Songgoriti: Findings, Restoration, Utilization Potential, and Challenges, and Artificial Intelligence and Its Use in History Education, followed by discussion and question-and-answer sessions. The post-activity stage included evaluation and planning for follow-up activities with the partners. The findings indicate that the program provided teachers with insights into the history and potential of the Songgoriti Hot Spring Site, as well as the use of artificial intelligence to support history education while maintaining information verification. The program also supports the development of contextual history learning resources through the utilization of cultural heritage in the surrounding environment.
Surakarta City has long been recognized as a flood-prone city since the early 1900s—no wonder some districts, such as Sewu and Sumber Districts, are demonstrating strong grassroots flood management initiatives. However, children’s participation and interest in disaster preparedness have varying degrees of engagement. To address these issues, this project explores the integration of Japanese disaster education methods- specifically the Iza! Kaeru Caravan and the Kawaii Bunka approach to local flood disaster mitigation strategies. The Iza! Kaeru Caravan offers interactive and playful learning activities on disaster response or play-based learning activities, while Kawaii Bunka, which leverages elements of visual charm, approachability, and emotional appeal to strengthen engagement among children Implemented in 2025-2026 at Sumber and Sewu District. These methods were adapted to local contexts by incorporating indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and community-led initiatives. The evaluation results showed a clear improvement in children’s knowledge after participating in the three educational modules. Snake & Ladder (+19,5); Twister (+6.3) and Emergency Kit Moduler (+7.6). Each of the three interventions shows statistically significant enhancements (p < 0.001). The study highlights the potential of cross-cultural adaptation of disaster education approaches to address local needs, ensuring sustainable and inclusive disaster risk reduction in flood-prone urban areas.
The Koto Malintang Village Forest, located within the Lake Maninjau watershed, holds substantial biomass in its tree stands as a natural carbon sink. However, local forest management groups, including the GILA Aren Forest Farmers Group (KTH GILA Aren) and traditional village institutions, face limitations in human resource capacity, particularly regarding customary forest governance and the understanding that standing forests generate stored carbon that can be monetized via carbon trading mechanisms. This community service program aimed to enhance human resource capacity through training on customary forest management and literacy on carbon trade concepts. The participatory methodology involved education on sustainable forest governance, knowledge transfer on carbon sequestration and carbon trading fundamentals, and contextual simulations on the economic value of tree stands. Program effectiveness was evaluated using pre-test and post-test assessments administered to 42 targeted respondents. The evaluation results demonstrated a substantial increase in community cognitive understanding: comprehension of carbon trade business opportunities rose by 48 percentage points from a pre-test average of 44% to 92% on the post-test, while comprehension of customary forest management governance increased from 45% to 92% (+47 percentage points). In aggregate, participants' understanding surged by 48 percentage points (from 44% to 92%), successfully exceeding the 80% performance target. This capacity building serves as an essential foundation for the self-reliance of customary communities in preserving and governing sustainable forests.
