UNS — Students from the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta incorporated in a community ‘Filosofi Padi’ together with young breeder farmer groups, join a discussion with Indonesia Kesatriaan Entrepreneur and the Department of Agriculture and Plantation (Distanbun) Jawa Tengah. The occasion discusses the obstacles for the young generation in the agricultural sector, product distribution, regeneration, and efforts to achieve national food sovereignty on Saturday (10/4/2021) in Joglo Tumiyono Klaten.
The ‘Filosofi Padi (t/n: Philosophy of Rice) is a farmers’ community initiated by Ginanjar Dwi Cahyanto, a student from Agricultural Extension & Communication Study Program FP UNS. The community focused on agriculture and plantation. Recently, the community often collaborate with numerous communities in the Great Solo Area.
The discussion is attended by Opick Mahendra from Distanbun Jawa Tengah, Ir. Tumiyono, M.BA., as the founder of Indonesia Kesatriaan Entrepreneur, Qomarun Najmi from Sarasehan Petani Peternak Muda (Young Breeder Farmer Workshop), Septian Adi Cahyono from Sayur Organik Merbabu (Merbabu Organic Vegetables), and Setia Hermawan from Berkah Setia Farm. On this occasion, Qomarun Najmi reveals that the objective of the discussion is to accommodate the exchange among the young farmers in Central Java. The outcomes from the discussion will be a collective conclusion for the members.
In the events with more than 140 participants from 12 Districts/Cities, the Central Java Distanbun, Opick Mahendra, states that the agricultural and farming sector has great potential, especially in Central Java. Farmers can join farmers’ associations in various forms, such as farmer’s groups or Village-Owned Enterprises (Bumdes). “The majority of farmer group and Bumdes have old generation. Therefore, the young farmers must join the administration soon to encourage transformation. Farmer group has access to government assistance, facilities, partnership, and funding. In case of any confusion or inquiries regarding organic certification, farmers do not need to be worried because the government always provides free certification. Even further, farmers can ask questions to the regional extension agent for further information,” he added as the representative of the Central Java Governor.
Support and facilitation are provided by Ir. Tumiyana, M.BA., as the host and the Founder of Indonesia Kesatriaan Entrepreneur. According to him, young breeders and farmers need a collective group to get economic skill and funding access, as well as agricultural lands available in Central Java.
“Collaborative organization is needed. The Distanbun and Perhutani have the right to cultivate agricultural lands that available for us, but not for individual operation. This workshop aims to achieve that objective. At least we can cultivate the idle lands around us and establishing a community for young farmers and breeders,” he states.
As a community that aims to prepare young farmers and breeders, Filosofi Padi is welcoming this idea. “Filosofi Padi is ready to commit and monitor the follow-up actions. We hope that the student representative can support the implementation of the next agenda. Thus it will bring positive outcomes for the young farmers and breeders in Central Java,” Ginanjar, as the Founder of Filosofi Padi, states. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
