Motives and Dynamic of Community-Based Aquaponics for Urban Farming in Semarang

Abstract

Urban farming through aquaponics has begun in Semarang, since 2016. More than eighty people formed an aquaponics community. The community has conducted routine training on aquaponics to develop urban farming through this system. But the number of aquaponics was unstable. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to find out the motives and dynamics of the aquaponics community in supporting urban farming. The method of this research used a qualitative approach. The results of studies with the analysis of the theory of motives and group dynamics show that this community was in the class of altruism and collectivism motivation so that it has a chance of sustainability even though at certain moments it decreases. As for the dynamics of some actors who think that they weren't in line with expectation, factors emerge that weaken the community in aquaponic. However, those who have altruism and collectivism motives will tend to survive because they got personal satisfaction and a good impact on their environment. Therefore, when many actors leave this system, they keep trying to return to carry out aquaponic activities in support of urban farming in Semarang.