UNAND KKN Students Support SDG 2 and SDG 12 through the One Thousand Seedlings Program for Community Food Resilience

Sijunjung, February 5, 2026 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) students participating in the Community Service Program, known as KKN, carried out the One Thousand Seedlings Program as a concrete contribution to strengthening food resilience and community empowerment.

The program focuses on cultivating horticultural seedlings, especially eggplant and cayenne pepper, which will later be distributed to the local community. The activity was conducted at the demonstration plot located behind the Wali Nagari Office and involved both KKN students and nearby residents in the seedling preparation and maintenance process.

Through a participatory approach, the community did not only become recipients of the seedlings, but also took part in learning how to prepare and care for plants properly. This educational aspect is expected to encourage residents to develop practical skills in home-based agriculture and make better use of available household land.

Putra, a UNAND KKN student and person in charge of the work program, explained that the One Thousand Seedlings Program aims to help the community optimize yard land while encouraging household food independence. He said the eggplant and cayenne pepper seedlings are expected to become an initial step for residents to grow their own vegetables and kitchen spices, reduce household expenses, and improve family nutrition.

The seedling process was carried out using simple methods that are easy for the community to apply. Students used polybags and planting media adjusted to local environmental conditions. The seedlings are regularly maintained by UNAND KKN students until they reach the appropriate age for planting. After that, they will be distributed free of charge to residents so they can be planted in home yards or personal gardens.

The program received a positive response from local residents, as it was considered highly beneficial, especially amid fluctuating food prices such as cayenne pepper. Through the distribution of seedlings, the community is expected to be able to produce part of its own vegetable needs independently.

This initiative supports SDG 2 Zero Hunger by promoting household food resilience through home-based cultivation of vegetables and kitchen spices. By encouraging residents to grow eggplant and cayenne pepper in their own yards, the program helps strengthen local food availability and supports better family nutrition.

The program also aligns with SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production because it encourages communities to use available land more productively and consume food more responsibly. Through simple seedling methods and community education, the activity promotes a practical model of sustainable household food production.

Through the One Thousand Seedlings Program, UNAND KKN students demonstrated that community service can create lasting benefits by combining education, participation, and local food empowerment. The program is expected to leave a sustainable impact not only through the seedlings distributed, but also through increased public awareness of the importance of household farming and village-based food resilience.