JAKARTA - It's time for the younger generation, said Presidential Chief of Staff Dr. Moeldoko penetrated the profession as a farmer. The problem is when farmers are dominated by those aged 45 years and over. Now is the time for youth to seize this profession.
According to Moeldoko, farmers should be a promising and prosperous job to attract young people. He said, 71 percent of the total farmers are currently over 45 years old. While those under 45 are only 29 percent.
In fact, said Moeldoko, the agricultural sector is important in building Indonesia's food independence. Moreover, globally is currently facing the threat of a food crisis. Where there are already more than 190 million people in several countries in the world experiencing food shortages.
"We are still dominated by farmers who are no longer young. To make the younger generation more interested in becoming farmers, farmers must become a promising and prosperous profession," said Moeldoko, at the Jambore Farmers Millennial Aceh event, in Buket Meutuah village, East Langsa sub-district, Aceh Tamiang district, Aceh, Wednesday, December 21.
The chairman of HKTI said that so that the farmer profession could promise and prosper, farmers would not only move upstream or on-farm. However, it must start to enter the downstream stage or post-harvest processing. Such as mastering the packaging and trade processes. Because it is precisely on this side that the biggest profit will be obtained, said Moeldoko as in a written statement received by VOI editors.
Moeldoko, nicknamed the Tani Commander, also assessed that currently many young people have potential and innovation, especially in the field of information technology, which can be a big capital to build and strengthen the Indonesian agricultural sector.
He also invited the local government and the entire community to fully support the efforts being built by young people in the agricultural sector.
In military science, how to manage potential becomes a strength. Some of us only see, oh this is potential, potential, potential, but not able to manage it into a force," said Moeldoko.
Meanwhile, Acting Mayor of Langsa Said Mahdum Majid hopes that the Jambore Farmers' Aceh activity can be a momentum to remind farmers of the important and strategic role in national development. In addition, it is also a trigger to increase the interest of the younger generation in dealing with the agricultural sector by becoming developed and modern farmers.
"With the continuity of the farmer generation and the advancement of science and technology in agriculture, God willing, we will be able to create a strong and sovereign country for its own food," said Said Mahdum.
For information, the Jambore Millennial Aceh Farmer was attended by 2000 farmers and the people of Langsa City. This activity aims to increase the passion for farming, especially for the younger generation.
At the event, Presidential Chief of Staff Dr. Moeldoko also planted rice with Forkopimda, and handed over assistance for cayenne pepper and tomatoes plant seeds.
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