Living in the City but Still Wanna Farm? Say Less.
Let’s be honest. The dream of growing your own food sounds amazing—fresh veggies in your kitchen, pesticide-free, harvested straight from your own home. But for those of us living in cities where every square meter costs a fortune, the idea of farming feels… well, unrealistic.
If you live in a big city, you probably know the struggle: you want to grow your own food, maybe some chilies or herbs, but there’s just no space. And let’s be honest—between school, work, and life in general, who even has time to water plants every day?
No backyard. No time. And watering plants every single day? Forget it.
But what if we told you there’s a way to actually farm from your apartment balcony or rooftop—with zero daily maintenance, and a little help from technology?
Welcome to Go-Chili — a smart, low-maintenance, Internet of Things (IoT)-powered system for growing your own chili peppers at home. And yes, your plants water themselves.
Let us introduce you to Go-Chili — a smart, low-maintenance chili farming system that uses Internet of Things (IoT) tech to make your plants water themselves. Yes, you read that right.
From Kitchen Staple to DIY Farming Movement
In Indonesia, chili isn’t just a spice—it’s a lifestyle. It’s on nearly every plate, from sambal-laden street food to fine dining. But here’s the twist: chili prices are notoriously unstable. One week they’re fine, the next week they spike like cryptocurrency.
That’s because chili crops are seasonal and highly sensitive to weather changes. When harvests drop, prices soar. So we asked ourselves: what if people could grow chili at home? Could we democratize farming and bring it right into urban spaces?
We ran a small survey in a local neighborhood, and 73% of respondents said they’d be interested in growing chili at home—if the process was easy, efficient, and didn’t require daily maintenance.
That’s when Go-Chili was born.
Where Did This Idea Come From?
Let’s face it: chili is a kitchen essential in Indonesia. But have you ever noticed how chili prices can go up so fast it feels like crypto? That’s because chili is a seasonal crop, and when supply drops, prices skyrocket.
We thought: why not grow it ourselves?
So we surveyed some folks in an urban neighborhood, and guess what? 73% of them said they’d love to grow chili at home — if it was easy, quick, and didn’t require daily maintenance. And that’s when we knew: it’s time to bring tech into the garden.
How Does Go-Chili Work?
Go-Chili isn’t your ordinary pot-on-the-windowsill setup. This is smart farming, reimagined for modern urban living. Powered by IoT, our system senses when your plants need water and takes care of it—automatically.
Here’s what’s under the hood:
- Soil Moisture Sensor – Monitors soil dryness in real time.
- Microcontroller (ESP8266/NodeMCU) – Acts as the “brain” of the system.
- Mini Water Pump & Drip Irrigation – Delivers water only when necessary.
- Relay Module + Wi-Fi Connection – Lets the system function seamlessly and connect to your smartphone.
It’s like giving your plant the ability to talk—to tell you, “Hey, I’m thirsty,” and then quench its own thirst. And you? You go about your day while Go-Chili handles the rest.
Imagine leaving your plants for a weekend trip and coming back to a thriving little farm. That’s the power of smart farming.
What’s the Product, Exactly?
Go-Chili isn’t about selling the device—we use the tech to grow and sell fresh chili. Specifically:
- Red bird’s eye chili (cabai rawit merah)
- Curly red chili (cabai keriting merah)
These are high-demand, high-value crops with stable market prices. The best part? We grow them without harsh pesticides, using organic media and efficient watering systems. The result: healthy, clean, tasty chili straight from the garden.
Who’s Go-Chili For?
Anyone can use this system. Seriously.
- Moms who want a fresh chili stash at home.
- Busy professionals or students looking to grow something without the fuss.
- Urban farming enthusiasts who want to upgrade with tech.
- Small businesses or food vendors that need a steady chili supply.
All you need is a bit of space and the will to start. A balcony, terrace, or rooftop will do just fine.
Business Model & Market Potential
Our core product is fresh chili grown through smart, home-based farming. Based on our market research, this product has real potential—especially in crowded cities where people want healthier food and more self-sufficiency.
Our target market includes:
- Local food stalls (warung)
- Homemade sambal makers
- Urban households
- Small culinary businesses
- Gardening communities
We promote mainly through Instagram, WhatsApp, and direct community partnerships.
What About Cost and Profit?
Let’s talk numbers.
The initial investment (seeds, tech, tools, soil) is about:
- Rp1,372,000 (~$90)
Estimated revenue from a single cycle (approx. 3 months):
- Rp4,900,000 (~$315)
That’s an ROI (Return on Investment) of:
257%
In other words: you get your money back more than twice in just one cycle. Do this a few times a year, and you’re looking at a decent profit for a home-based operation.
Step-by-Step Production Process
Our full project timeline is 4 months, and here’s how it goes:
- Weeks 1–4: Germinate chili seeds in a seed tray or small pots.
- Weeks 5–6: Transplant seedlings into polybags and activate the smart watering system.
- Weeks 7–12: Regular care (mostly automated watering and occasional fertilizing).
- Week 13+: Harvest, package, and sell the chili.
The tools you’ll need are simple:
- Polybags/pots
- Soil mix (compost + rice husk + dirt)
- Chili seeds
- IoT kit (sensor, microcontroller, water pump)
- Tubing + a water tank or bucket
All of this can be found online and assembled with a little DIY spirit.
Our 4-Month Growing Timeline (You Can Do It Too)
Here’s how Go-Chili works in practice:
Month 1: Seed Germination
- Start your seeds in trays or small pots.
- Keep them moist until they sprout (the only phase with a bit of manual care).
Month 2: Transplant & Setup
- Move the seedlings into polybags or larger pots.
- Install your smart watering system.
- Let automation begin.
Month 3: Growth & Maintenance
- Add organic fertilizer weekly.
- Check system health once a week.
- Monitor plant progress through your smartphone.
Month 4: Harvest & Sell
- Pick the ripe chilies.
- Package them fresh.
- Sell through online platforms or directly to neighbors and local vendors.
It’s that simple. Everything else is handled by the system.
Go-Chili’s Future: This is Just the Beginning
We’re not stopping here. The long-term plan for Go-Chili includes:
- Scaling up : more plants, more types of chili, possibly leafy greens.
- Product expansion : turning harvested chili into sauces, sambal, or chili powder.
- Community-based farming : working with local groups to spread the system.
- Educational outreach : bringing smart farming to schools, mosques, even boarding houses.
The dream? A network of urban chili farms, each one smart, sustainable, and empowering.
What People Are Saying
During our trial run in Bandung, the system drew attention. A few moms even got together to create a mini neighborhood garden using Go-Chili, rotating who checks the plants (even though the tech mostly does that on its own).
For us, Go-Chili was more than a school project. It was a real opportunity to learn, innovate, and create something that bridges agriculture and modern tech in a meaningful way.
Final Thoughts: Grow More Than Just Chili
Urban farming isn’t just a trendy hobby or a weekend project—it’s a mindset shift. It’s a quiet rebellion against relying solely on supermarkets and long supply chains. It’s about reclaiming control over what we eat, how it’s grown, and where it comes from. And with Go-Chili, we’ve proven that you don’t need sprawling fields or expensive greenhouses to start farming. Sometimes, all you need is a little space, a bit of curiosity, and the right technology.
In a world that’s moving faster every day—where people are constantly balancing work, family, and personal growth Go-Chili is a reminder that slow, intentional living still matters. It shows that productivity doesn’t always have to be about deadlines and devices; sometimes, it’s about nurturing life from the soil up.
With the help of IoT, your garden becomes intelligent. Your plants know when they need care, and they signal the system to act—while you focus on your day. No overwatering. No guessing games. No guilt about forgetting to water them. Just harmony between humans, nature, and machines.
But Go-Chili isn’t only about technology. It’s about lifestyle. It’s about waking up, stepping outside, and seeing real, edible growth—something you planted, something you nurtured. It’s about teaching kids where their food comes from. It’s about sharing excess harvest with your neighbors. It’s about being part of a solution in a world full of problems.
And here’s the thing: the chili plant is just the beginning.
Maybe today it’s chili…
Tomorrow, it could be tomatoes.
Next month, leafy greens.
Maybe even flowers to brighten up your day.
The beauty of urban farming is its limitlessness, even in limited space. It gives you agency, peace of mind, and a little bit of joy every time you see those first sprouts pushing through the soil.
So now, the question isn’t “Can I do this?”
Because you can.
The real question is:
When will you take the first step toward your own smart garden?
Whether you’re planting on your rooftop, balcony, or windowsill, Go-Chili is here to help you grow—not just crops, but confidence, independence, and hope.
And who knows? One small pot might just change the way you see the world.