Activities –
On 30 November 2025, a community-based agricultural learning activity entitled “Shallot Seedling Technology from True Seed” was conducted in Ulu Ere District, Bantaeng. The activity was attended by 20 shallot farmers who participated in a technical and informative session on how to produce shallot seedlings from botanical seed, commonly known as true shallot seed.
Shallot is one of the most important horticultural commodities in Indonesia. It is widely used in daily cooking and has strong economic value for farming communities. However, shallot cultivation often depends on seed bulbs, which require large quantities of planting material, are expensive to transport, and may carry diseases from one season to the next. These challenges can affect productivity and increase production costs for farmers.
The activity aimed to provide clear information about shallot seedling production from true seed as an alternative technology for improving planting material. Through this activity, farmers were introduced to the basic principles of seed-based shallot cultivation, including seed selection, nursery preparation, growing media management, watering, seedling care, and readiness for transplanting. The discussion also emphasized the importance of healthy and uniform seedlings as the foundation for successful shallot production in the field.
True shallot seed technology offers several advantages. It requires less planting material than bulb-based cultivation, is easier to store and distribute, and has the potential to reduce the spread of bulb-borne diseases. However, successful use of true seed depends on proper nursery management. Farmers need to understand how to maintain moisture, protect young seedlings, manage nutrition, and identify the right seedling stage for transplanting. Therefore, this activity was designed not only to share information but also to strengthen farmers’ practical understanding.
This activity is closely related to Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty, because better seedling technology can help reduce crop failure, improve production efficiency, and support farmers’ income. It also supports Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, as the activity provided accessible agricultural knowledge and technical learning for shallot farmers. In addition, it reflects Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, because the development of true shallot seed technology requires cooperation among farmers, extension workers, researchers, local institutions, and agricultural stakeholders.
The activity in Ulu Ere District showed that innovation in farming does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes, progress begins with improving the earliest stage of cultivation: the seedling. By understanding how to grow shallots from true seed, farmers can explore a more efficient and healthier planting system. Through continuous learning and collaboration, true shallot seedling technology can become an important step toward stronger shallot production in Bantaeng. More importantly, it can help farmers become more confident, adaptive, and prepared to face future challenges in horticultural farming.
