DISEMINASI VERTIKAL URBAN FARMING BERBASIS TENAGA SURYA DI DESA KUTAAMPEL KAB. KARAWANG - Rommy Andhika Laksono; Hayatul Rahmi; Abdul Yusuf; Anggun Pertiwi (Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Khatulistiwa, 2025)
ABSTRACTThis community service initiative aims to introduce and implement a solar-powered vertical urban farming system as an innovative solution to land scarcity, dependence on fossil fuels, and the low engagement of youth in the agricultural sector in Kutaampel Village, Karawang Regency. The program was conducted from January to December 2025 in Kutaampel Village, Batujaya District, Karawang Regency. Employing a participatory and educational approach, the initiative involved 30 participants from diverse backgrounds across four main phases: outreach and socialization, technical training, field simulation, and mentoring with evaluation. The outreach phase successfully enhanced participants’ understanding of modern agriculture and renewable energy concepts. Technical training equipped them with skills to assemble the UNSIKA Solar-Powered Hydroponic and Aeroponic System (SHIATUN), install solar panels, and operate Internet of Things (IoT)-based humidity sensors. Field simulations resulted in a functional SHIATUN prototype capable of efficiently supporting horticultural crop growth. A three-month mentoring period revealed that 70% of participants could independently manage the system, with three groups successfully replicating it in their home gardens. The program also sparked increased interest among village youth in technology-based agriculture. The outcomes demonstrate that disseminating solar-powered vertical farming technology can serve as an effective strategy for enhancing local food resilience, fostering farmer regeneration, and strengthening rural community self-reliance in the face of climate change and resource limitations.Keywords: Vertical Urban Farming, Solar Energy, Karawang Regency ABSTRAKKegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan dan menerapkan sistem urban farming vertikal berbasis tenaga surya sebagai solusi inovatif terhadap keterbatasan lahan, ketergantungan energi fosil, dan rendahnya partisipasi generasi muda dalam sektor pertanian di Desa Kutaampel, Kabupaten Karawang. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan di Desa Kutaampel Kecamatan Batujaya, Kabupaten Karawang pada bulan Januari- Desember 2025. Melalui pendekatan partisipatif dan edukatif, kegiatan ini melibatkan 30 peserta dari berbagai latar belakang dalam empat tahapan utama: penyuluhan dan sosialisasi, pelatihan teknis, simulasi lapangan, serta pendampingan dan evaluasi. Penyuluhan berhasil meningkatkan pemahaman peserta terhadap konsep pertanian modern dan energi terbarukan. Pelatihan teknis membekali peserta dengan keterampilan merakit sistem Hidroponik dan Aerophonik Tenaga Surya UNSIKA (SHIATUN), menginstal panel surya, dan mengoperasikan sensor kelembaban berbasis Internet of Things (IoT). Simulasi lapangan menghasilkan prototipe urban farming (SHIATUN) yang mampu mendukung pertumbuhan tanaman hortikultura secara efisien. Pendampingan selama tiga bulan menunjukkan bahwa 70% peserta mampu mengelola sistem secara mandiri, dan tiga kelompok berhasil mereplikasi sistem di pekarangan rumah masing-masing. Kegiatan ini juga memicu peningkatan minat pemuda desa terhadap pertanian berbasis teknologi. Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa diseminasi teknologi pertanian vertikal berbasis energi surya dapat menjadi strategi efektif dalam membangun ketahanan pangan lokal, mendorong regenerasi petani, dan memperkuat kemandirian masyarakat desa dalam menghadapi tantangan perubahan iklim dan keterbatasan sumber daya.Kata Kunci: Vertikal Urban Farming, Tenaga Surya, Kab. Karawang