Sweet Sorghum Ecotheology
A Phenomenological Study on the Role of Women Local Food Activists in Lamongan to Achieve the SDGs
Keywords:
Ecotheology, Sorghum, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Phenomenology, Food Security, Women Local Food Activists
Abstract
This study examines the potential of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically food security (SDG 2) and climate action (SDG 13). Despite its resilience to drought and carbon sequestration capabilities, market challenges often deter farmers from its cultivation. This research explores a contrasting phenomenon led by a female activist in Lamongan, Indonesia, who successfully developed innovative downstream products from sorghum. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study investigates the ecotheological expressions manifested in the activist’s lived experience and resilience. Findings reveal that her persistence is driven by a profound ecotheological ethics manifested in three forms: a spiritual conviction to steward the earth and nourish the community; innovative practices designed to maximize the plant's holistic "blessings"; and communal engagement to propagate these benefits. The study concludes that the internalization of spiritual-ecological values serves as a critical driver for sustainable small-scale agriculture and provides an authentic grassroots model for achieving the SDGs. Furthermore, the results highlight that strategic support from academic, governmental, and research institutions acts as a vital accelerator for such local initiatives.
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References
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Winarti, C, Abdullah Bin Arif, Agus Budiyanto, and Nur Richana. “Sorghum Development for Staple Food and Industrial Raw Materials in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: A Review.” In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 443:12055, 2020.
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Ameen, Muaz, Athar Mahmood, Ahmad Naeem Shahzad, Muhammad Anjum Zia, and Muhammad Mansoor Javaid. “Sorghum’s Potential Unleashed: A Comprehensive Exploration of Bio-Energy Production Strategies and Innovations.” Bioresource Technology Reports 27 (2024): 101906.
Amiruddin, Muhammad, Masiyan M Syam, and Jamaluddin Arsyad. “Teologi Lingkungan Dalam Al-Qur’an Perspektif Ibrahim Abdul Matin.” Al-Mau’izhoh, 2024. https://doi.org/10.31949/am.v6i2.8558.
Asri, Anita Dwi. “Minat Petani Dalam Berusahatani Sorgum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) Di Desa Keyongan Kecamatan Babat Kabupaten Lamongan.” UPN Veteran Jawa Timur, 2022.
Atukunda, Prudence, Wenche Barth Eide, Kristin R Kardel, Per Ole Iversen, and Ane C Westerberg. “Unlocking the Potential for Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2--‘Zero Hunger’--in Africa: Targets, Strategies, Synergies and Challenges.” Food \& Nutrition Research 65 (2021): 10–29219.
Atumo, Tessema Tesfaye, and Tewodros Ayalew. “Elevated Carbon Dioxide Effect on Radiation, Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency of C3 and C4 Crops: A Review.” Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency of C3 and C4 Crops: A Review, 2023.
Cholilie, Irvan Adhin, Anni Rahmat, Azmi Alvian Gabriel, Yunita Siti Mardhiyyah, Yulia Nur Rohmawati, Ahmad Musonnif Dzulfikri, Eka Nur Fadilah, Anisah Firdausiah Oktarilivyana, and Hans Febrianto Setyo. “Sorghum Crackers (Sorghum Bicolor L.) as an Effort in Utilizing Food Material of Local Wisdom in Lamongan City.” Gontor AGROTECH Science Journal 6, no. 3 (2020): 283–97.
EVI, MAF’IDATUL ILMI. “EFISIENSI PENGGUNAAN FAKTOR PRODUKSI SORGUM (Sorghum Bicolor L.)(Kasus Di Desa Keyongan Kecamatan Babat Kabupaten Lamongan).” UPN VETERAN JAWA TIMUR, 2022.
Filho, Walter Leal, Tony Wall, Amanda Lange Salvia, Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis, and Mark Mifsud. “The Central Role of Climate Action in Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.” Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (2023): 20582.
Fuseini, Awal, and John Lever. “Sustainable Livestock Agriculture from Islamic Perspective.” Cab Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 16 (2021): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1079/pavsnnr202116026.
Hayat, D R Imran, Lecturer, D R Muhammad, Sajad Malik, and Husnain. “THE ROLE OF ISLAMIC ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS IN THE ALLEVIATION OF CLIMATE CHALLENGES AND THE PRESERVATION OF ECOSYSTEM.” Russian Law Journal, 2023. https://doi.org/10.52783/rlj.v11i11s.1967.
Khalifa, Muhammad, and Elfatih A B Eltahir. “Assessment of Global Sorghum Production, Tolerance, and Climate Risk.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 7 (2023): 1184373.
Khoddami, Ali, Valeria Messina, Komala Vadabalija Venkata, Asgar Farahnaky, Christopher L Blanchard, and Thomas H Roberts. “Sorghum in Foods: Functionality and Potential in Innovative Products.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 63, no. 9 (2023): 1170–86.
Maksum, A, A R Sopyan, A Indiyanto, and E Wahyuni. “Ecotheology: Environmental Ethical View in Water Spring Protection.” Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00205.
Mustofa, M Lutfi, M Fauzan Zenrif, and Ahmad Barizi. “Towards an Islamic Ecotheology: Indonesian Muslim Organizations in Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts.” Problemy Ekorozwoju 20, no. 2 (2025): 21–31.
Pereira, Laura M, and Corinna Hawkes. “Leveraging the Potential of Sorghum as a Healthy Food and Resilient Crop in the South African Food System.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 6 (2022): 786151.
Pradheksa, Pratama Yudha, Karunia Hazyimara, Didid Haryadi, and Abu Samsudin. “Environmental Ethics in the Spiritual Perspective of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.” Peradaban Journal of Religion and Society, 2023. https://doi.org/10.59001/pjrs.v2i2.93.
Rakhmat, Aulia. “Islamic Ecotheology: Understanding the Concept of Khalifah and the Ethical Responsibility of the Environment.” Academic Journal of Islamic Principles and Philosophy 3, no. 1 (2022): 1–24.
Roeswitawati, Dyah, Jabal Tarik Ibrahim, and others. “Agronomic Character of Several Local Genotypes of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor l.) at East Java.” In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 532:12023, 2019.
Sporchia, Fabio, Marta Antonelli, Alicia Aguilar-Mart\’\inez, Anna Bach-Faig, Dario Caro, Kyle F Davis, Roberta Sonnino, and Alessandro Galli. “Zero Hunger: Future Challenges and the Way Forward towards the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2.” Sustainable Earth Reviews 7, no. 1 (2024): 10.
Sulistyawati, Sulistyawati, Dyah Roeswitawati, Jabal Tarik Ibrahim, and others. “Genetic Diversity of Local Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Genotypes of East Java, Indonesia for Agro-Morphological and Physiological Traits.” Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity 20, no. 9 (2019).
Winarti, C, Abdullah Bin Arif, Agus Budiyanto, and Nur Richana. “Sorghum Development for Staple Food and Industrial Raw Materials in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: A Review.” In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 443:12055, 2020.
Windsor, Sally, and Olof Franck. Intersections of Religion, Education, and a Sustainable World. Springer Nature, 2025.
Published
2025-11-18
How to Cite
Metafisika, K., Lestari, E. G., & Istifhama, L. (2025). Sweet Sorghum Ecotheology. Proceedings of Annual Conference for Muslim Scholars, 9(1), 404-416. Retrieved from https://proceedings.kopertais4.or.id/index.php/ancoms/article/view/711
Section
Articles
