Melan Pigai, Achieving Education Through Farming
Melan Pigai, Achieving Education Through Farming. However, this does not apply to Melan Yustina Pigai, commonly known as Melan. In addition to pursuing a college degree, she is also involved in farming. Since childhood, Melan has been learning the art of farming from her parents in Mandidi Village, Teluk Kimi District, Nabire Regency. The farming methods she acquired from her parents were conventional, involving the constant shifting from one piece of land to another. Sometimes, the results of her hard work did not always match the effort she put in.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many activities were restricted, Melan took the initiative to cultivate horticultural crops in her garden and yard with the assistance of YBTS’ field officers. She decided to try her hand at growing tomatoes and bird’s eye chili peppers. Diligently, Melan began to learn the entire process, from seedling, land cultivation, fertilization, controlling plant pests and diseases, and harvesting. Out of 2,500 tomato plants that she cultivated, Melan earns an income of IDR 10,000, while from her bird’s eye chili pepper plants, she garnered IDR 11,000.
"I use the proceeds from my vegetable harvest to cover my tuition fees. I am grateful to God for having the opportunity to get the assistance from YBTS. Through them, I have gained valuable knowledge about proper and effective farming techniques," said Melan with a sense of gratitude.