Listening to Farmers, Providing Solutions: The Meaning of Community Service

For a long time, I believed that agricultural progress was synonymous with large machines or complicated modern technology. However, this perspective changed when I participated in a Community Service Program in Gedangan Village, Sidayu District, Gresik Regency. Through this activity, I learned that change does not always have to start with something grand. Sometimes, the solutions most needed by communities actually come from simple innovations that truly address their problems.

When I first discussed with members of Farmer Group 1 in Gedangan Village, I realized that the fertilizer distribution process was still done manually using hands or simple containers carried on shoulders. This method had been used for many years, but it required significant physical effort, the fertilizer distribution was uneven, and fertilizer usage had the potential to be wasteful. From this, I understood that a seemingly simple problem actually had a considerable impact on the effectiveness of farmers’ work.

Through the Community Service Program held on July 9, 2026 at the Gedangan Village Hall, I and a team of students from August 17, 1945 University Surabaya worked to provide a solution through Appropriate Technology in the form of a semi-automatic fertilizer spreader. This activity was conducted under the guidance of Field Advisor Salsabila Ratu Kencana Syaharani, S.Psi., M.Psi. In addition to introducing the tool, we also provided explanations about its benefits, demonstrated how to use it, guided participants during practice, and handed over two units of the tool to Farmer Group 1 of Gedangan Village as a form of program sustainability.

Seeing the enthusiasm of the farmers when trying the tool was a very memorable experience for me. They not only paid attention to the explanations we provided but also actively asked questions and tried to operate the tool directly. From this, I realized that the community is actually open to innovation, as long as the technology introduced is easy to understand and matches their needs.

Blueprint for a semi-automatic fertilizer spreader as an appropriate technology introduced to the farmers of Gedangan Village.

The tool was designed with a simple concept using a backpack-style fertilizer container connected to hoses and distribution pipes. With this design, farmers can better control fertilizer distribution so that the fertilization process is expected to be more effective and efficient. The simplicity of its design also makes the tool easy to use and maintain by the community.

For me, the most important part of this activity was not when the tool was successfully introduced, but when the community began to understand its benefits. I learned that the success of an innovation is not measured by how advanced its technology is, but by how much benefit its users can experience.

Activity evaluation results also showed a positive response. The majority of participants understood how to use the tool after attending the training, all participants rated the tool as able to save time and effort, and most stated they were willing to use it if available at the village hall. These results confirmed my belief that simple innovation can be well-received if it truly originates from community needs.

Zainal Mila, the Head of Farmer Group 1 in Gedangan Village, also mentioned that farmers have been using manual methods to spread fertilizer. According to him, this fertilizer spreader tool helps because fertilizer distribution can be better controlled so that fertilizer usage becomes more effective and not wasteful. His opinion further strengthened my belief that the right solution does not always have to be complicated.

Through this activity, I gained very valuable lessons. While in college, I studied many theories about management, planning, and problem-solving. However, when I was among the community, I realized that every solution must begin with a willingness to listen. The community is the party that best understands the problems they face, so innovation built must originate from that need.

I also increasingly understood that community service is not merely carrying out work programs or fulfilling academic obligations. Service is a process of learning together with the community. We bring knowledge from campus, while the community provides real experience and understanding of conditions in the field. From the meeting of these two comes a solution that is more relevant and has the potential to provide sustainable benefits.

For me, the experience in Gedangan Village is not just about introducing a semi-automatic fertilizer spreader. More than that, this experience taught me that major changes often begin with small steps taken with seriousness. When students, higher education institutions, village government, and community want to work together, technology is no longer just a tool, but becomes a bridge connecting knowledge with community needs.

Ultimately, I believe that agricultural progress does not always have to start with expensive or complex technology. Sometimes, a simple innovation that comes from listening, discussing, and understanding farmers’ needs can actually have a more tangible impact. From Gedangan Village, I learned that the meaning of service is not just about sharing knowledge, but also about learning together to create change that is beneficial for the community.