Increasing Economic Potential and Food Security of Social Workers and Persons with Disabilities through Aquaponic Systems

Abstract

This study aims to improve food security and economic resilience. The study's respondents were children of social workers and people with disabilities at the Mitra Bawah Dormitory. Based on preliminary observations, respondents have potential land but it has yet to be utilized optimally to meet daily food needs. The research method used is Community Action Research (CAR) with the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act). The intervention carried out is by implementing an aquaponics system, and an integrated fish and plant cultivation system. Through aquaponic system, it is expected to produce fresh and nutritious food products sustainably. Research data were collected through in-depth interviews with respondents and analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The results showed that respondents responded positively to the implementation of the aquaponics system. They are optimistic that with this system, dormitory food security can be realized every three months. In addition, respondents also plan to sell fish farming results to increase dormitory income. This study provides an important contribution to the development of a community-based food security model, especially for vulnerable groups such as children of social workers and people with disabilities. Implementing the aquaponic system not only increases the availability of healthy food but also provides opportunities to develop skills and economic independence in future.

Keywords—Aquaponics, Food Security, Community Action Research, People with Disabilities


Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan ketahanan pangan dan ketahanan ekonomi. Responden penelitian adalah anak pekerja sosial dan penyandang disabilitas di Asrama Mitra Bawah. Berdasarkan observasi awal, responden memiliki lahan potensial namun belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal untuk memenuhi kebutuhan pangan sehari-hari. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah Community Action Research (CAR) dengan siklus PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act). Intervensi yang dilakukan adalah dengan menerapkan sistem akuaponik, dan sistem budidaya ikan dan tanaman terpadu. Melalui sistem akuaponik diharapkan dapat menghasilkan produk pangan segar dan bergizi secara berkelanjutan. Data penelitian dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dengan responden dan dianalisis secara deskriptif dan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa responden memberikan respon positif terhadap penerapan sistem akuaponik. Mereka optimis dengan sistem ini ketahanan pangan asrama dapat terwujud setiap tiga bulan. Selain itu, responden juga berencana untuk menjual hasil budidaya ikan untuk menambah pendapatan asrama. Studi ini memberikan kontribusi penting bagi pengembangan model ketahanan pangan berbasis masyarakat, terutama bagi kelompok rentan seperti anak pekerja sosial dan penyandang disabilitas. Penerapan sistem akuaponik tidak hanya meningkatkan ketersediaan pangan sehat tetapi juga memberikan peluang untuk mengembangkan keterampilan dan kemandirian ekonomi di masa mendatang.

Kata kunci—Akuaponik, Ketahanan Pangan, Aksi Masyarakat, Penyandang Disabilitas