MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Farmers in Indonesia are facing a multitude of obstacles including unfavorable policies, unpredictable weather patterns, and a dwindling agricultural workforce that threaten their livelihoods and the nation’s food security.
M. Nurul Yamin, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment, emphasized the need for immediate action to address these agricultural concerns. A stable food supply is essential for the well-being of millions of Indonesians, and the current challenges threaten this vital resource. Yamin pointed out the alarming trend of an aging agricultural workforce and the urgent need to attract younger generations to pursue careers in farming.
“Our current generation of farmers is nearing retirement age. We need to revitalize the agricultural sector by encouraging millennials and young people to take up farming as a profession,” said Yamin in the discussion on “Geger Tani” on Wednesday (June 5).
Compounding these challenges is the lack of domestic innovation in agricultural technology. Yamin expressed concern over Indonesia’s reliance on imported agricultural technologies. He advocated for a shift towards technology transfer and the development of a domestic agricultural technology sector. This would allow Indonesia to become self-sufficient in this critical area and develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of its farmers.
Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity in Indonesia. “Extreme weather events such as El Niño and La Niña cause both droughts and floods, leading to devastating crop failures,” said Yamin.
Yamin urged farmers to stay informed and adapt their practices to mitigate the impact of these unpredictable weather patterns.
Professor Totok Agung Dwi Haryanto, a plant breeding expert from Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, echoed Yamin’s concerns. He emphasized the crucial role of food security in achieving Indonesia’s national goals of independence, unity, sovereignty, justice, and prosperity.
“Climate change is caused by both natural variations in the Earth’s climate and human activities. The burning of fossil fuels and other human activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, depleting the ozone layer and contributing to global warming. This trapped heat disrupts natural weather patterns, leading to unpredictable rainfall and temperature fluctuations,” said Totok.
These drastic climate changes disrupt traditional planting cycles, posing additional challenges for farmers. Haryanto noted that even during the dry season, unexpected downpours can harm crops that are not adapted to excess water.
“These climate fluctuations negatively impact agriculture and lead to an increase in pests and diseases,” he explained. “For example, excessive rainfall and high humidity create ideal conditions for viruses, bacteria, and fungi to thrive.”
Syafii Latuconsina, an expert advisor of the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment, proposed biochar as a potential solution to soil degradation. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance derived from incompletely burned rice husks. Syafii advocated for the use of biochar as a sustainable and organic alternative to harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Syafii acknowledged that excessive use of chemical inputs is a major contributor to soil degradation. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides deplete essential nutrients from the soil and disrupt its natural structure. Biochar, on the other hand, can improve soil fertility, water retention capacity, and overall soil health.
