Bogor, Indonesia, 1 September 2026 — SEAMEO BIOTROP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, organized the Urban Farming Competency Development Programme at the Jati Room, SEAMEO BIOTROP, Bogor, on 1 September 2026. The one-day training was attended by 35 prospective retirees from the Ministry of Finance and aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills in urban agriculture, preparing them for retirement while supporting local food security.

The programme was officially opened by the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr. Edi Santosa. In his opening remarks, he welcomed the participants and emphasized that agricultural activities could serve as a productive alternative for retirees. According to him, urban farming is highly relevant to Indonesia's current conditions, particularly in strengthening food security in urban areas.

Dr. Edi expressed hope that the training materials would serve as valuable learning and inspiration for participants to understand and develop independent farming practices in urban environments. Following his remarks, he officially opened the training session.

The training instructor, Dewi Suryani, explained that the curriculum covered five main subjects: hydroponics, aquaponics, freshwater fish farming, mushroom cultivation, and fruit cultivation in pots (tabulampot). Among these topics, hydroponics served as the primary focus of both theoretical learning and practical sessions.

Throughout the programme, participants gained comprehensive insights into urban farming systems. Special emphasis was placed on hydroponics to enable participants to directly apply the techniques through hands-on practice. The selection of SEAMEO BIOTROP as the venue was supported by its adequate practical learning facilities, particularly its hydroponic demonstration units.

This initiative was designed as a collaborative effort between SEAMEO BIOTROP and the Ministry of Finance to equip pre-retirees with applicable post-service skills. Through this training, participants are expected to manage agricultural activities independently, turning urban farming into a productive and economically viable activity within urban settings.

MDM