In Payo Village, Jailolo, West Halmahera, a mother decided to change the course of her life. Her name is Sri Rahayu Ayu, or simply Bu Ayu. Like many other mothers, her days are filled with efforts to keep the family going. Her husband, Pak Risman, works as an honorary teacher at the local junior high school with a limited income. With two children still in school, the family’s expenses often went far beyond what they could earn.
This situation did not stop Bu Ayu. Although she did not come from a farming family and had no experience in agriculture, she made a big decision: to plant bitter gourd on her 500 m² plot of land. She wanted to help her husband and make sure their children could continue their education without worrying about school fees.
Bu Ayu gains new skills in putting up a fruit fly trap
The journey was not easy, but Bu Ayu was not alone. She received support from the Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS), which gave her new knowledge—from choosing good seed varieties to using fruit fly traps to protect her crops. For Bu Ayu, every training session was not only about gaining knowledge but also encouragement that she could succeed even as a beginner.
Her hard work has brought real results. From 500 bitter gourd plants, she has harvested more than 1.2 tons, sold at a stable price of Rp10,000 per kilogram. The income she earned has reached more than Rp10 million, and the harvest is still ongoing.
“I want my children to keep going to school without worrying about costs. Farming has become my way to support my husband and secure our future,” said Bu Ayu.
Bu Ayu proudly celebrates her harvest.
For her, farming is not only about the harvest. It is also a way to be independent, to stand strong, and to give the best for the loved ones. With YBTS’s support, Bu Ayu has found new opportunities and proved that self-reliance can grow from determination, hard work, and the willingness to keep learning.
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