Turning School Grounds into Food Gardens, Bosch Leverages Local Innovations to Boost Food Security in Nabire

• Bosch’s presence in Indonesia is marked by a strong commitment to supporting local communities through sustainable programs in education, nutrition, and economic empowerment. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has invested more than 85,000 euros—equivalent to 1.4 billion rupiah.
• This year, Bosch is focusing on sustainable food security infrastructure and community economic empowerment in Nabire, with an investment valued at more than 140 million rupiah.
• Central Papua has one of the highest rates of inadequate food consumption in the country; strengthening supporting infrastructure and empowering local communities are key solutions to addressing this challenge.

Nabire, 17 November 2025 – Efforts to improve access to nutritious food in Nabire Regency continue to be strengthened by optimizing the potential of local agricultural resources. Stretching from the highlands to the coastline, the region is home to communities that rely heavily on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. This makes food self-sufficiency a strategic foundation for improving overall community well-being.

However, limited dietary diversity in Nabire has led to a decline in the Food Consumption Score—from 82.1 percent in 2023 to 78.0 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, the Average Energy Adequacy Level stands at only 1,853 kilocalories per capita per day, below the national standard of 2,100 kilocalories. This situation has prompted various local initiatives aimed at sustainably increasing food production and improving children’s nutrition.

Muko Village in Tanah Merah, Yaro District, stands as a clear example of this transformation. The once-empty land surrounding SDN Muko has been turned into a productive garden filled with rows of vegetables and livestock pens, all built using locally available natural resources. This progress is made possible through the collaboration between the local community and Bosch Indonesia’s sustainable agriculture program, which provides land preparation support, high-quality seeds, livestock, and one year of intensive guidance.

Agustina Taihuttu, the Principal of SDN Muko, recalls well the support Bosch has provided over the past seven years—assistance that has made a tangible difference for both the children and the wider community, starting with improved educational facilities. “I initially took in children affected by conflict in Intan Jaya, as well as those who lived very far from the school, because I believe every child deserves access to proper education. Now, with the dormitory and adequate learning facilities, more than 220 students from around six different tribes are able to pursue their education here,” she explained.

The garden at SDN Muko not only provides food but also serves as a learning space for building self-reliance. Children learn how to plant, care for livestock, and understand the principles of food security, while also instilling values of hard work, responsibility, and community cooperation.The harvest is used to support students’ daily nutrition, contribute to the operational needs of the dormitory, and involve local residents in its management and distribution. Through this process, the children are empowered to become agents of change for their village’s economy and overall well-being.

This program combines traditional Papuan farming practices with modern techniques—from improved seeds to simple irrigation systems—ensuring that the methods taught are both locally relevant and highly productive. Nabire Regent Mesak Magai also underscores the importance of community empowerment as a key driver in strengthening local food security.

“Character education for students—especially through learning to be self-reliant and make use of the resources around them—is the key to empowering the community’s economy. If we are diligent in cultivating our gardens and land, the results will ensure healthy and prosperous families,” Magai stated.

Over the past seven years, Bosch Indonesia has contributed approximately €85,000 (Rp1.4 billion) to various initiatives in Nabire, including the construction of a proper dormitory at SDN Muko. This year, Bosch expanded its support with an additional Rp144 million donation for the sustainable agriculture program—marking the company’s largest annual investment in Papua and further scaling a pilot initiative that drives holistic community transformation.

Nabire’s Head of the Education Office, Dina Pidjer, hopes that agricultural and livestock empowerment activities in schools will instill values of independence, responsibility, and cooperation in students from an early age. “Through programs like this, children learn to plant seeds of goodness that they will one day harvest as smiles and happiness in their future,” she said.

By integrating education, nutrition fulfillment, and economic empowerment through agriculture and livestock activities, Muko Village stands as a compelling example of how collaboration between companies, government, and local communities can deliver sustainable solutions. Improved food self-sufficiency and better nutrition simultaneously strengthen the local economic foundation, ensuring that children grow up healthy, educated, and prepared to pursue an independent future.