For Muhammad, a 25 year-old youth from Tekasire Village, Dompu Regency, NTB, the future once seemed like a series of uncertain days. As a casual daily laborer, he spent his time planting corn or clearing others’ land for meager wages, without job security or a steady income.  

However, a turning point in his life came when he joined Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) through the Let’s Grow program, which is supported by the Ganesha Foundation. This program provided more than just technical assistance; it completely overhauled the youth’s perspective on agriculture through a professional approach and data-driven management.  

During the 15 days of intensive training, Muhammad demonstrated extraordinary determination with a near-perfect-attendance, a disciplined attitude he brought directly to his cucumber field. On a 1,000 m² plot, he began implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) learned from YBTS. He no longer farmed by guesswork; he understood that building 25-30 cm high raised beds was crucial to ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot, as his land was in a water runoff path.  

“In the past, I only worked for others without any certainty. Now, on my own land, I have learned that the key to farming is not about the size of the land, but how carefully and diligently we manage it,” he said. 

This diligence and careful attention produced very tangible results. Muhammad routinely monitored his crops and performed pruning on his Batara F1 variety cucumber plants to ensure optimal yields. In a single planting season, he successfully achieved 15 harvests, with yields ranging from 6-20 sacks per harvest. The total gross income reached Rp21,710,000, an amount that far exceeded his previous earnings as a laborer.  

As a young father, this success has become a ticket to economic independence. This achievement not only allows him to secure his family’s financial future but also provides the capital for his next planting season.