Community Empowerment for Self-sufficiency in Herbal Plants to Face The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Indonesia is famous for its rich herbs. Typically, these herbs are used as flavoured vegetables, medicinal plants, dried fruit and medicinal plants that are packed in the form of herbs. Some herbs are very good for curing and healing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for spices is getting higher, but prices are also high. This has an impact on the cost of community needs. Community service aims to use herbs to improve the immune system in the face of COVID-19. Besides, for the use of the house yard by planting herbs as traditional medicinal plants with community empowerment. The methods used were counselling about spice plants, dividing spice plant seeds, and practising directly growing spices. The community service subjects were 41 residents Taman District on Provinsi of Sidoarjo, especially in a community group on 25 in Citizens Association of 10 Bohar Village, Taman Sidoarjo District. According to the results of the evaluation of the participant's knowledge assessment, according to the results of the pre-test and post-test evaluations, it was found that most of the participants experienced an increase in knowledge of spices (56.1%). Most residents (85%) prefer the direct practice method of planting spices because it is easier to understand right away. The conclusion indicated the effectiveness of the introduction and use of spices in increasing knowledge and direct cultivation practice. The next community service activity is to provide assistance and train residents in environmental cadre formation activities and the formation of TOGA plants. The output of this community service activity is a report that has been submitted in a journal and an increase in public understanding and awareness by planting spices.