Hijaukan Pekarangan, Sehatkan Keluarga
Gerakan Taman Obat Keluarga di Desa Ngronggot Kabupaten Nganjuk - Jawa Timur
Explore ProgramLiving Pharmacy in Home Gardens
Amid high public dependence on chemical medicines, a natural solution often thrives in our home gardens.
Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA) are not just greening, but a living pharmacy that provides various natural medicines for family health. In an era where awareness of healthy lifestyles and economic independence is increasing, utilizing yard land for medicinal plant cultivation is a smart and sustainable solution.
This article invites you to explore the extraordinary potential of medicinal plant cultivation and garden design, focusing on its implementation for the community of Ngronggot Village, Nganjuk Regency, East Java. We will reveal how even narrow yard land can be processed into a Family Medicinal Garden that not only improves health but also brings economic benefits.
TOGA: Concept and Benefits for Village Community
Health Benefits
TOGA enables easy and quick access to natural medicines. Plants like ginger for colds, turmeric for joint pain, and aloe vera for wound healing can be immediately picked when needed 3 .
Economic Benefits
TOGA not only saves expenses for medicines but also has the potential to become an additional source of income. Abundant harvests can be processed into economically valuable products 2 .
Cultural Preservation
By cultivating TOGA, the community also preserves local wisdom and traditional knowledge about herbal medicine passed down through generations 3 .
Preventive Healthcare Approach
TOGA emphasizes disease prevention rather than treatment, making it a strategic concept for village communities with limited access to modern health facilities.
Sustainable Solution
As implemented in Cibeunying Berseri Village, TOGA provides a practical and effective solution for community health needs 3 .
Economic Empowerment
Similar to the community service goals of Hasanuddin University, TOGA can stimulate household economic activities 1 .
Designing Medicinal Gardens: From Concept to Reality
Plant Selection
Choose plants according to land conditions, climate in Nganjuk, and local community health needs.
Functional Design
Create gardens that are both functional and aesthetic.
The "Hypothetical Design" from Brawijaya University emphasizes sustainability and ease of implementation in various community environments 2 .
Popular Medicinal Plants
Ginger
Boosts immunity, treats digestive disorders
Turmeric
Reduces joint pain, anti-inflammatory
Aloe Vera
Skin care, wound healing
Betel Leaf
Natural antiseptic, treats nosebleeds
Cultivation Techniques
Vertical cultivation using paralon pipes or tiered pots is ideal for narrow yards 2 . This system maximizes limited space while creating an attractive garden display.
Field Experiment: Real Impact of TOGA Cultivation Training
Training Methodology
Subjects
30 community members of Ngronggot Village joined in a farmer group.
Design
Assessment through pre-test and post-test to measure understanding improvement. This method was also successfully used in dragon fruit cultivation socialization in Kupang 4 and hydroponic training for youth in Kediri .
Training Results
The training delivered significant results. Participant attendance reached 95%, and enthusiasm was high during discussion and practice sessions, particularly on botanical pesticide making and verticulture techniques 4 , a phenomenon also observed in other trainings 1 .
| Aspect of Assessment | Average Pre-Test Score (0-100) | Average Post-Test Score (0-100) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicinal Plant Recognition | 55 | 88 | 33 points |
| Organic Cultivation Techniques | 45 | 82 | 37 points |
| Making POC & Botanical Pesticides | 35 | 85 | 50 points |
| Herbal Product Processing | 40 | 80 | 40 points |
Post-Training Implementation Plans
| Action Plan | Number of Interested Participants |
|---|---|
| Creating TOGA in own yard | 28 people |
| Joining village TOGA group | 25 people |
| Interested in further herbal product processing | 18 people |
The data above shows that educational approaches that are directly practical and address daily needs successfully increased participants' knowledge and motivation quite drastically. The largest improvement was seen in skills for making organic fertilizers and pesticides, which form the foundation of sustainable TOGA cultivation.
Essential Toolkit for TOGA Cultivation
| Category | Example Items | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Planting Materials | Seeds/Seedlings of ginger, turmeric, kencur, aloe vera, etc. | As basic cultivation material to be planted. |
| Growing Media | Fertile soil, compost/manure, burnt husks. | Plant growth media, providing nutrients and structural support. |
| Organic Fertilizer | Liquid Organic Fertilizer (POC), amino acid fertilizer 1 . | Providing additional nutrients for plant growth and health. |
| Natural Pesticides | Botanical pesticides from garlic, neem leaves, etc. 4 | Controlling plant pests and diseases in an environmentally friendly way. |
| Tools | Hoes, shovels, sprayers, pots, and containers for verticulture. | Assisting tools in planting, maintenance, and harvesting processes. |
Conclusion: Towards a Healthier and More Independent Ngronggot
Medicinal plant cultivation and garden design through the Family Medicinal Garden (TOGA) concept offers a real and sustainable solution to improve the health and economy of the Ngronggot Village community. This movement not only optimizes the use of yard land but also restores local wisdom in traditional medicine.
The success of this program, as proven by Cibeunying Berseri Village 3 , depends on shared commitment between the community, village government, and supporting parties such as universities or non-governmental organizations. With sustainable education, participatory approaches, and the spirit of mutual cooperation, TOGA can pioneer the realization of village communities that are healthy, independent, and prosperous.
Let's green our yards, and welcome a healthier life with a "pharmacy" from our own homes.