Balikpapan - Vacant land does not always have to remain unused. Through the hands of students from Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK), an underutilized area in the Atlantic Village residential community was transformed into a productive space that supports food security while serving as a shared learning area for environmental management.

Through a Social Innovation program, the students encouraged residents to make better use of available land by planting several crops, including chili, eggplant, and citrus. The initiative did not focus solely on cultivation, but also integrated a simple irrigation system, plastic waste management, and the construction of biopore infiltration holes.

The program was developed around four main pillars: polyculture, irrigation, a waste bank, and biopores. Each component was designed to be practical, easy to implement, and sustainable even after the student-led activities had concluded.

Through the polyculture system, several types of plants were grown within the same area to optimize land use. This method also helps maintain soil fertility, increase plant diversity, and provide produce that can be used by local residents.

The students also introduced a simple irrigation system to distribute water more evenly across the planting area. In addition to supporting plant growth, the system is expected to help residents save water, time, and effort when maintaining the garden.

Meanwhile, the waste bank initiative aimed to encourage residents to sort inorganic waste, particularly plastic bottles. Waste that would otherwise be discarded can instead be collected, reused, or recycled, giving it economic value while reducing environmental pollution.

Biopore infiltration holes were also introduced as an important part of the program. These holes help improve water absorption, reduce standing water, and process organic waste into natural compost directly in the soil.

The initiative went beyond the construction of facilities. The students also conducted outreach and mentoring activities to help residents understand how to care for the plants, operate the irrigation system, separate waste, and maintain the program over the long term.

Under the supervision of Arlita Dwi Agustine, S.Si., M.T., the activity became a practical learning experience for students to apply their knowledge, collaborate with the community, and develop solutions that respond directly to local needs.

Through this collaboration, ITK students hope that previously unused land can continue to grow into a productive source of food, while environmentally responsible habits such as waste sorting and maintaining community cleanliness become part of residents’ daily lives.

The program demonstrates that innovation does not always require complex technology. Planting crops, managing water, sorting waste, and creating biopores may appear simple, but when carried out consistently and collectively, these actions can create meaningful and lasting impact.