DEWAPONIK, MULAI HIDROPONIK TANPA LAHAN DI KOS, KINI SUKSES JUAL SAYURAN OMZET HINGGA 70 JUTAAN!

Summary

Ahmad Ardan Ardianto, owner of Dewaponik Jogjakarta, shares his journey into hydroponics, which began as a casual interest but evolved into a successful urban farming business. Despite challenges like limited land in the city and market fluctuations, Ardan developed a greenhouse-based hydroponic system, allowing efficient vegetable production. He reflects on overcoming hardships, such as budget constraints, external partnerships, and crop failures. Now, Dewaponik supplies fresh produce and offers training and materials. His story inspires entrepreneurs to create opportunities, emphasizing resilience, innovation, and seizing every chance to grow.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Ardan started his hydroponic business, Dewaponik Jogjakarta, due to the lack of space in the city and the difficulty of finding land for traditional farming.
• 👨‍🌾 Ardan's background is not in agriculture; he learned hydroponics through discussions with agricultural students and self-study, starting with simple setups in his rented space.
• 🏠 The purpose of using a greenhouse is to control plant growth conditions, minimize pest interference, and increase production efficiency.
• 💡 Dewaponik's slogan, 'Dewanya Hidroponik Jogja,' reflects Ardan's vision to be a leader in hydroponics in the region.
• 🛠️ Despite initial challenges, such as building greenhouses with minimal resources, Ardan continued to refine his methods and expand his operations.
• 📉 One of the main struggles in the business is managing demand; sometimes harvests do not meet market needs, leading to losses.
• 🤝 Ardan emphasizes community support and collaboration, providing training and resources to those interested in hydroponics, which has helped grow his business.
• 💬 Ardan has faced challenges, including being scammed in a greenhouse project, which caused significant financial losses.
• 📈 During the pandemic, Ardan saw an increase in sales of hydroponic tools and materials, even though vegetable sales dropped due to reduced activity in restaurants.
• 🏢 Dewaponik functions as both a production site and a center for training and collaboration, with support from local government and plans to integrate more automation and renewable energy solutions.

Q & A

What inspired Ahmad Ardan to start his hydroponic business?

Ahmad Ardan was inspired to start his hydroponic business after a casual conversation with agricultural students. Despite having no background in agriculture, he learned about hydroponics, began researching it that night, and quickly applied what he learned.

Why did Ahmad Ardan choose hydroponics instead of traditional farming?

Ahmad Ardan chose hydroponics because it doesn’t require large amounts of land, which is difficult to find in the city center of Jogja. Additionally, it is cleaner, easier to manage, and doesn’t involve handling soil or pests commonly found in traditional farming.

What challenges did Ahmad Ardan face when building his first greenhouse?

Ahmad Ardan faced budget constraints and technical issues when building his first greenhouse, which was made of bamboo. He also struggled with sourcing materials and dealing with environmental challenges, such as heavy rain that caused the greenhouse to collapse.

How does Ahmad Ardan handle crop failures or market issues?

Ahmad Ardan experienced crop failures when market demand didn’t match his production, leading to unsold harvests. He also mentioned the stress of not getting paid for a greenhouse project he built through a CSR program. Despite these challenges, he continuously looks for ways to improve and adapt.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Ahmad Ardan’s business?

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahmad Ardan saw a drop in vegetable sales as restaurants closed. However, his online sales of hydroponic supplies increased significantly, allowing him to invest in building his current greenhouse.

What types of crops does Ahmad Ardan grow in his hydroponic farm?

Ahmad Ardan grows a variety of crops in his greenhouse, including green and red lettuce, romaine, chard, and several types of mustard greens. He also grows easier crops like kangkung, which are planted in different mediums.

What techniques does Ahmad Ardan use to ensure the quality of his crops?

Ahmad Ardan ensures the quality of his crops by closely monitoring water conditions, nutrient levels, and pH. He also uses a three-step process for growing plants: from seeding to nursery stage to full-size production.

What are the biggest challenges Ahmad Ardan faces with pests and diseases in his greenhouse?

Ahmad Ardan faces challenges with pests like aphids, caterpillars, and diseases such as root rot and fungal infections during the rainy season. He mitigates these issues using pest control methods, maintaining sanitation, and employing greenhouses and pest traps.

What future innovations does Ahmad Ardan plan for his hydroponic farm?

Ahmad Ardan plans to automate more of the farming processes, such as nutrient distribution, using solar panels to power the greenhouse. He also envisions turning his farm into a study and tourist site to showcase hydroponic farming.

What is Ahmad Ardan's key motivation or philosophy behind his business?

Ahmad Ardan is motivated by the philosophy of 'Striving to open horizons or being buried in the ground.' He believes in continuously trying new things and taking advantage of opportunities to avoid failure or stagnation.