Inspiring the Next Generation of Farmers: How BERISIK Uses Flowers and Trendy Vegetables

Amid rapid modernization and digitalization, agriculture is often overlooked by younger generations. The perception that farming is dirty, complicated, and outdated has become one of the major challenges facing the regeneration of farmers in Indonesia.

In response to this challenge, BERISIK (Berkebun Itu Asik), an initiative by ALIT Indonesia, takes a more youth-friendly approach to introducing teenagers to agriculture. Through its Home Gardening and School Gardening pillars, the movement engages young people through the cultivation of ornamental flowers and trendy, lifestyle-oriented vegetables. These crops are intentionally chosen as an accessible first step toward developing curiosity, interest, and appreciation for agriculture.

Why Start with Flowers and Trendy Vegetables?

From both psychological and social perspectives, teenagers often look for forms of exploration that connect with their lifestyle, aesthetics, and visual identity.

Flowers such as roses and gerberas have strong visual appeal. Their blooming process can provide a tangible and rewarding experience for young gardeners. When teenagers successfully care for a plant from seed or seedling to a healthy, beautiful bloom, the experience can create a sense of achievement and gradually challenge the perception that growing plants is difficult or complicated.

The same approach can be applied to crops that are already familiar to young people through contemporary food and lifestyle trends. Kale, lettuce, and herbs such as mint and rosemary are commonly associated with healthy meals and drinks, including salads, smoothies, and infused water.

Growing these crops allows teenagers to see firsthand that nutritious, desirable food can be produced independently—even in a small home garden. It also introduces them to the idea that agriculture can be connected to entrepreneurship, food culture, and modern lifestyles.

More Than Just Gardening

Using popular and visually appealing crops as an entry point can provide several benefits for young people:

• Self-Expression and Environmental Awareness: Turning a corner of a bedroom, a boarding-house balcony, or a small yard into a green and visually appealing space gives teenagers an opportunity to express their creativity. Caring for plants can also help them develop a stronger awareness of their relationship with the environment.
• Mindfulness and Well-Being: Taking care of plants can provide a welcome break from busy academic routines. Simple activities such as watering, pruning, and observing plant growth can become opportunities to slow down and spend time away from screens.
• A Gateway to Broader Agricultural Education: Once teenagers become comfortable with basic gardening, they can gradually explore more advanced agricultural practices, including composting, environmentally friendly pest management, seed propagation, and integrated farming systems.

Growing a New Generation of Farmers

Building young people’s interest in agriculture cannot rely solely on conventional approaches that may feel rigid or disconnected from their everyday lives.

By starting with flowers and vegetables that are visually appealing and relevant to contemporary lifestyles, BERISIK creates an accessible and enjoyable entry point into agriculture. Small pots filled with flowers, herbs, and vegetables may seem simple, but they can become the starting point for a deeper understanding of food, environmental sustainability, and the future of farming in Indonesia.

From these small gardens, a new relationship between young people and agriculture can begin to grow.