Kebun Kali Code was born from a simple conviction: that communities who grow their own food don't have to wait for anyone. Since 2019, the garden along the Code River has been a working answer to food insecurity — not as charity, but as practice.
From concrete to harvest
In 2019, a strip of concrete riverbank in Ledok Tukangan, Danurejan was broken open and replanted. What grew wasn't just vegetables — it was a model. That even the most constrained urban land, worked collectively, can feed a neighbourhood. In September 2021, 1,200 seedlings were planted together by the women of Kampung Kali Code, a moment covered nationally by Metro TV as a grassroots food independence movement.
Sekolah Tani Minggu
Every Sunday, the garden becomes a classroom. Sekolah Tani Minggu (Sunday Farmer School) brings residents of all ages together to learn organic farming, seed saving, vertikultur, and composting. In June 2023, the community hosted a seedling workshop with Prof. Ir. Irfan Widya Prijambada — bringing academic knowledge directly into the kampung soil.
From garden to table — and beyond
Food grown here doesn't stay here. In April 2022, the community began processing harvest into value-added products — peyek cabai, tempe, traditional Javanese foods — as part of a social entrepreneurship program. The garden feeds neighbours, orphanages, and generates income that sustains itself.
Eco enzyme as food system
Since 2021, the community has run workshops on eco enzyme production — turning kitchen waste into liquid fertiliser and natural cleaning products. In August 2024, vertikultur systems and a worm tower (menara cacing) were added to close the nutrient loop completely. The garden now feeds the soil that feeds the garden.
“Food sovereignty isn't about having enough to eat today. It's about knowing how to grow it yourself, forever.”
Timeline
2019 — First community vegetable garden planted on reclaimed concrete
Sept 2021 — 1,200 seedlings + Metro TV national coverage
April 2022 — Peyek cabai & tempe production begins
June 2023 — Workshop with Prof. Ir. Irfan Widya Prijambada
Aug 2024 — Vertikultur & worm tower (menara cacing) added
By the numbers
- 1,200
- seedlings planted together (2021)
- 2019
- year the first harvest was shared
- 8
- active food programs