Farmers' Regeneration Program, Time For Gen Z To Become Farmers

Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko received the arrival of the Deputy for Food at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Dida Gardera (three from the left), at the Binagraha building in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/5). (Doc. Ist)

JAKARTA The farmer regeneration program initiated by the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) is increasingly narrowing. Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the regeneration program must be carried out inclusively and collaboratively in order to speed up the process.

"With the current demographics of farmers getting older, there is an urgent need to encourage the younger generation to be interested in entering the agrarian sector as a career choice," said Moeldoko at Bina Graha, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 8.

The purpose of this program is to produce young farmers who are adaptive to various agricultural methods such as permacculture, environmentally friendly agriculture, the use of simple and efficient technology, to smart agriculture that utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Moeldoko emphasized that this program must have a direct impact in increasing the number of young farmers who are competent and innovative, so that they can contribute to the revitalization of the Indonesian agricultural sector.

Moeldoko believes that the emergence of new companies managed by young farmers can be a catalyst for the younger generation to enter the agricultural sector. "Make the agricultural sector an attractive profit field and have significant development potential is essential. Especially with the application of the latest technology," said the TNI Commander (2013-2015).

Based on agricultural census data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), currently 70 percent of Indonesian farmers are over 43 years old, with only 2.14 percent classified as young or Gen Z categories. This situation adds to the urgency to promote regeneration among young people to ensure national food security.

This farmer regeneration program will involve a number of stakeholders across ministries, institutions, scout youth organizations, state-owned companies, the World Food Organization (FAO), and the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI). The goal is to create an ecosystem that supports the growth of skilled and broad-minded young farmers.

The meeting chaired by Moeldoko was attended by Dida Gardera, Deputy for Food at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and representatives of the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). They have reached a consensus on cooperation in strengthening the farmer regeneration program. This partnership will dynamicize the agricultural sector by integrating modern technology.

Dida Gardera stated that the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy fully supports the farmer regeneration program initiated by KSP. "We plan to develop a collaborative platform that will unite various programs from stakeholders for more effective synergies," said Dida.