The Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is developing a Flood-Resilient Village Model through the integration of fish farming, livestock, and agriculture based on community empowerment in Cempa Village, Langkat Regency.

The activity is part of the Community Service Program under the Assisted Village Scheme, funded through LPPM USU’s Non-PNBP funding in 2026. The program, titled “Flood-Resilient Village Model through the Integration of Fish Farming, Livestock, and Agriculture Based on the Empowerment of Farmers, Livestock Farmers, and PKK Groups in Cempa Village, Langkat Regency,” will be implemented as a multi-year program from 2026 to 2028.


The implementation team is led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Elisa Julianti, M.Si., with members Prof. Dr. Ir. Yaya Hasanah, M.Si., Dr. Ridwansyah, S.TP., M.Si., Julia Syahriani Hasibuan, S.Pi., M.Si., Harya Bimasuci W., S.Pi., M.Si., Muhammad Adanan Purba, S.Pt., M.Sc., PhD., and Siti Basyariah Putri Lubis, S.TP., M.Si., from the Faculty of Agriculture, USU.

Cempa Village has considerable economic potential. The agricultural sector serves as one of the main pillars of the local economy, with oil palm as a major commodity, producing approximately 83,000 tons per year. The village also has horticultural potential, including oranges with an annual production of approximately 150 tons, as well as honey guava. In the livestock sector, local communities raise broiler chickens, quail, goats, and cattle. Meanwhile, the fisheries sector is supported by catfish farming, with production reaching approximately 1.5 tons per year.

These potentials are further supported by various community-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including tempeh, satay, banana and cassava chips, as well as products made from oil palm fronds. Cempa Village also has natural tourism potential in the form of rivers and drainage canals that could be developed into local nature- and education-based tourism destinations.

However, these various potentials have not yet been managed optimally. One of the main challenges is annual flooding, which occurs particularly during the rainy season. Flooding can persist for up to approximately two months, disrupting agricultural, livestock, and fisheries activities, damaging infrastructure, and affecting transportation and the distribution of community products.

In the fisheries sector, for example, farming is still carried out using traditional methods involving simple ponds or cages. One gourami fish farmer reported that, of the 5,000 fingerlings stocked, only around 1,000 survived until harvest. The mortality rate of approximately 80 percent highlights the need for improvements in farming technology and management, particularly in water quality management.


To address these challenges, the USU Faculty of Agriculture team provided two biofloc ponds equipped with aerators and water-quality monitoring equipment. This technology is expected to improve the success rate and efficiency of community fish farming.

In the agricultural sector, the team provided seeds, materials, and equipment for establishing an organic vegetable cultivation demonstration plot. Meanwhile, in the livestock sector, the team provided a chopper machine and training on the preparation of silage feed and Total Mixed Ration (TMR) to address feed shortages and improve livestock nutritional quality.

Empowerment activities were also provided to women’s PKK groups through training in food processing based on local commodities. Products developed included shredded fish and fish crackers, as well as oyster mushroom nuggets and meatballs and salted quail eggs. These activities are expected to enhance skills while creating new business opportunities to increase household income.

The Assisted Village Program not only provides technology and equipment but is also accompanied by mentoring through 2028. The assistance covers production improvement, financial management using simple applications, and online marketing strategies. Students are also involved in evaluating technology implementation, recording transactions, and monitoring market developments.

The program also supports the achievement of SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 5, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17, particularly in poverty alleviation, food security, women’s empowerment, sustainable production, climate change adaptation, and strengthening partnerships.

Through this program, USU hopes that Cempa Village will not only be able to increase community productivity and income but also strengthen its capacity to adapt to flooding, enabling it to develop into a self-reliant, productive, and sustainably resilient village.