Participatory Development Communication Strategy of an Urban Farming Program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Participatory development communication strategies to enhance local food security in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, have made substantial progress through urban farming initiatives. This study examines how these strategies contribute to improving local food security by analyzing urban farming programs initiated by the city government. Urban farming, as a key innovation, has become increasingly important due to diminishing arable land and the need for sufficient nutritional intake in both quantity and quality, necessitating active community involvement. The research employs observations and in-depth interviews with leaders and members of farmers' groups, agricultural extensions, and the local Department of Agriculture and Food staff, reinforced by focus group discussions. Findings indicate that the communication strategy, rooted in a bottom-up participatory development communication approach from planning through evaluation, embodies community empowerment, making the success and sustainability of the program a shared responsibility. Despite some accomplishments, the initiative has not yet been adopted by all community members. The harvest is also limited to daily needs and has not greatly improved group members' income. The key to participatory development communication in the urban farming program is regularly scheduled meetings held by farmer groups as a participatory medium to manage activities.