Haga : Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat

PENGUATAN PENGELOLAAN EKOSISTEM GAMBUT BERKELANJUTAN BERBASIS MASYARAKAT DI KABUPATEN NAGAN RAYA PROVINSI ACEH

2025-11-26T22:28:53+07:00

The peatland ecosystem in Nagan Raya Regency is under significant pressure due to the construction of artificial canals, land-use conversion, and unsustainable cultivation practices, which have increased vulnerability to fires and degraded environmental quality. In this context, the SUPA-GIZ project implemented a community service initiative aimed at supporting peatland ecosystem restoration through a participatory approach. The approach involved cross-stakeholder coordination, including local government authorities, farmer groups, and community organizations, to ensure the engagement of all relevant parties. The activities employed methods such as field surveys to identify critical canals contributing to degradation, awareness campaigns on the importance of peatland conservation, technical training on canal blocking, and the development of restoration intervention designs. The results of these activities demonstrated significant achievements, including the identification of ten critical canals requiring immediate attention, an increase in community understanding of the peatland ecosystem from 35% to 82%, and the establishment of Village Peatland Alert Teams. Changes in community behavior, such as implementing canal-blocking techniques and practicing more environmentally friendly land management, served as indicators of the intervention’s success. This participatory model demonstrated the effectiveness of combining local education with technical interventions to mitigate peat fire risks. The success of this approach presents opportunities for replicating community-based strategies in other peatland areas, offering a sustainable method for ecosystem restoration, fire risk reduction, and the enhancement of community capacity for collective environmental management.

THE ROLE OF SOFO-SOFO IN STRENGTHENING HEALTH AWARENESS AND LOCAL WISDOM IN NIAS

2025-11-26T22:32:34+07:00

This community service project, conducted in Bawonifaoso Village, Nias, aimed to explore and promote the role of Sofo-sofo (Ageratum conyzoides) in strengthening health awareness and preserving local wisdom. Sofo-sofo is a medicinal plant traditionally used by the Nias community as a natural tonic and for various health purposes, yet its potential remains underutilized among younger generations. The project employed participatory approaches, including workshops, demonstration gardens, herbal preparation training, and storytelling sessions with local elders, to enhance both knowledge and practical skills regarding Sofo-sofo. The results indicate a significant increase in community awareness of Sofo-sofo’s health benefits, particularly its role in improving stamina and supporting general wellness. Participants reported incorporating Sofo-sofo into their daily routines and expressed a renewed appreciation for traditional medicinal practices. The project also strengthened intergenerational knowledge transfer, fostering cultural pride and sustaining intangible heritage. Moreover, the integration of Sofo-sofo activities into local cultural events and schools enhanced community engagement and motivation. These findings highlight the effectiveness of combining local wisdom with health promotion initiatives, demonstrating that culturally grounded interventions can simultaneously improve health literacy and preserve heritage. The project provides a model for leveraging ethnobotanical knowledge in rural community development, emphasizing sustainability, community ownership, and the integration of traditional practices with modern health education.

PENGEMBANGAN PESTISIDA NABATI BERBASIS DAUN SIRSAK (Annona muricata) DAN SERAI (Cymbopogon citratus) UNTUK MENDUKUNG KEWIRAUSAHAAN BERKELANJUTAN PETANI LOKAL

2025-11-26T22:30:48+07:00

This community service program was carried out with the main objective of reducing farmers’ dependence on chemical pesticides by introducing and training them in the production of botanical pesticides made from soursop leaves (Annona muricata) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). The program was implemented in Dusun II Bakaru, Siwalubanua I Village, Gunungsitoli Idanoi District, in collaboration with the Tanjung Morawa Farmers Group as the primary partner. The activities were systematically designed through several stages, including socialization about the negative impacts of chemical pesticides, training in the preparation of botanical pesticides, field assistance during application, and evaluation of the results. During implementation, farmers showed great enthusiasm in participating in every training session. Based on the evaluation results, farmers’ understanding of the benefits and working mechanisms of botanical pesticides increased by 85%. Moreover, the application of these natural pesticides successfully reduced pest attack intensity by up to 70%, which had a positive impact on crop yields. This activity not only provided ecological benefits by reducing chemical residues in the environment but also fostered entrepreneurial awareness among farmers. Several participants even began developing small-scale businesses to produce botanical pesticides independently. Thus, this community service program has made a tangible contribution to realizing sustainable agriculture, enhancing farmers’ self-reliance, and promoting the utilization of local resources as a new economic potential for rural communities.

PENDAMPINGAN MASYARAKAT DALAM MEMBANGUN CITRA POSITIF DESTINASI WISATA MELALUI STORYTELLING LOKAL

2025-11-26T22:29:49+07:00

The community service program in Hilisimaetano Tourism Village, entitled “Community Assistance in Building a Positive Destination Image through Local Storytelling”, was carried out with the aim of enhancing the community’s capacity to create a positive destination image by utilizing local narratives. This program emphasizes the empowerment of residents as the main actors in tourism promotion while simultaneously preserving cultural and environmental sustainability. The program’s methods included socialization on the importance of storytelling in destination branding, training in the creation of digital content based on local stories, on-site mentoring in delivering narratives to tourists, and evaluating the effectiveness of promotion through observation and social media analysis. The results indicate a significant increase in community understanding of storytelling as a tool for destination branding, as well as improved ability to produce authentic and engaging content. Additionally, tourists’ positive perceptions of the destination increased, reflected in higher engagement in tourism activities and greater appreciation of the unique local culture. This program not only strengthens the destination’s image but also opens new economic opportunities through creative entrepreneurship based on culture and local narratives. Overall, local storytelling guidance has proven to be an effective strategy for building the identity and positive image of Hilisimaetano Tourism Village, supporting sustainable tourism, and reinforcing the role of the local community as key actors in destination development.