The implementation of community service activities as one of the elements in the Tridarma of Higher Education is a tangible manifestation of students in contributing directly through socialization and training to the community in the form of knowledge that can be used and practiced in everyday life. The MITI KM Local Wisdom Research Program which is a series of community service programs carried out by Undip Research and Business SMEs has passed the proposal accompanied by a Advisory Lecturer, namely Tutik Dalmiyatun, S.Pt., M.Sc which was held in RW 01, Jabungan Village, Semarang city.
The activity was carried out by raising the topic of socialization and training on making kokedama. In the first activity, namely socialization regarding the introduction of kokedama, equipment and materials, selecting the appropriate types of plants for planting with kokedama planting techniques, the stages of making kokedama, to good kokedama care, as described by Diponegoro University students who are experienced in business in agriculture and has won a Business Plan competition with the topic of kokedama, namely Muhammad Rizki Arya Bhayangkara. Briefly explain what Kokedama is. Kokedama is a technique and art of planting from Japan that is placing plants in a ball of soil then wrapping it in moss (moss) and then tying it with rope. Kokedama has undergone many changes and currently kokedama is used as an ornamental plant in the house (indoor). The kokedama method using moss as a substitute for moss also helps the utilization of coco fiber (coco fiber). The technique of planting Kokedama itself is not widely known by the Indonesian people, so it becomes a business opportunity in improving the economy of women in Jabungan Village, Banyumanik, Semarang City.
The community, especially the PKK women of Jabungan Village, precisely in RW 01, were not only given theoretical expertise but also practical expertise in making kokedama through the “Practice Training for Making Kokedama” which took place in the yard of one of the residents of RW 01 Jabungan Village. This activity was carried out jointly between students of the LWR MITI Jadiy Team and PKK RW 01 Jabungan Village students who were assisted by Arya and guided by a supervisor in the practice of making this kokedama. This activity is carried out by starting with dismantling the plants that have been provided from polybags and removing the soil carefully and paying attention to the roots of the plants so they don’t get damaged. Then, black soil, fertilizer and husk in a ratio of 3:2:1 were mixed while spraying water if needed to be able to glue the soil by providing a wide plastic base. Next, prepare a bowl covered with small crackle plastic to print the kokedama to make it look more round in the bowl area and give moss or coconut fiber in the bowl area. After that, press as necessary on each side of the soil ball that was made earlier so that the roots are neatly covered and shape it until the kokedama becomes slowly round.
After all the kokedama have been formed, then wrap the sewing thread around the entire surface of the ball that has been covered with coconut husk or moss, so that the coconut fiber or moss wraps around the ground very neatly and smoothly. This is done to keep the soil from getting out of the coconut husk or moss which is useful as a wrapper. The finished kokedama are then woven using colorful ropes assisted by the LWR MITI Jadiy Team in making the kokedama which is adjusted to the size of the kokedama made. Finally, the finished Kokedama can be displayed by hanging in a shady area using a rope that has been made, or it can also be placed on a plate or small placemat to arrange the display of the kokedama that has been made.
The series of activities were closed by holding a group photo session to document the Socialization and Training on Making Kokedama between the LWR MITI Jadiy Team, PKK RW 01 Jabungan Village women and the team’s Advisory Lecturer. Furthermore, the activities of making kokedama will be carried out periodically by PKK women accompanied by a team, so that PKK women will become skilled, besides that in the future there will be marketing assistance for kokedama products. This assistance effort is carried out to be able to have an impact on the community, starting from increasing knowledge, skills and increasing family income by selling kokedama pro
