Sukses Bisnis Pertanian Hortikultura Dari Hulu sampai Hilir

Summary

Iqbal Habibie, a young farmer from Sukabumi, shares his journey into agriculture, from his upbringing in a farming family to establishing his own farming corporation, Tamara. Focused on horticultural crops like chilies, tomatoes, and various vegetables, Iqbal has embraced modern farming techniques, including smart farming for irrigation and fertilization. He emphasizes the importance of agriculture for Indonesia's economy and encourages other youth to return to farming, supported by government initiatives and partnerships. His story showcases the transformation of farming into a viable and modern business, inspiring the next generation of farmers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iqbal Habibie, a young farmer from Sukabumi, focuses on horticulture cultivation and integrated farming, covering both upstream and downstream aspects of agriculture.
• 😀 He founded a farming cooperative named 'Tani Manis Sejahtera' (TAMARA), which operates in 7 villages in Sukaraja, Sukabumi, with 25 hectares of land.
• 😀 Iqbal was inspired to become a farmer because of his family background in agriculture and his academic education in agribusiness at Universitas Juanda Bogor.
• 😀 He started his agricultural business in 2018, initially on small plots of land and gradually expanded to a 2-hectare area, along with the cooperative's 25-hectare land.
• 😀 The crops grown include various types of chilies, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and leafy vegetables, which are in high demand in local markets.
• 😀 Iqbal's products are sold in traditional markets like Tanah Pasar Pasundan Sukabumi, as well as in online markets and supermarkets like Edenpam and Bypass Komnas.
• 😀 Besides fresh vegetables, Iqbal's farm also produces processed products like sambal (spicy chili paste), which use local ingredients like green chili, shrimp paste, and various toppings.
• 😀 To address the high price volatility and spoilage issues of chilies, Iqbal has introduced value-added products like sambal and chili oil.
• 😀 The farm uses both traditional methods for certain tasks and modern technologies like smart farming for irrigation and fertilization, which are automated and monitored via smartphones.
• 😀 Smart farming technologies help optimize labor, ensure precise application of fertilizers, and enable remote monitoring of crops through sensors to improve yield and reduce waste.
• 😀 Iqbal feels proud to be a farmer, despite initial doubts and societal stigma, and encourages other youth to return to agriculture, seeing it as an essential pillar of Indonesia's economy.
• 😀 The Indonesian government supports young farmers through various programs, which have contributed to Iqbal's success and growth in the agricultural sector.

Q & A

What motivated Iqbal Habibie to become a farmer?

Iqbal was motivated to become a farmer because he grew up in a farming family, surrounded by agriculture. His background, combined with his education in agribusiness, led him to pursue farming as a way to contribute to the development of Indonesia's agricultural sector.

How did Iqbal's education influence his farming career?

Iqbal's education in agribusiness at the University of Juanda Bogor gave him the knowledge and skills to understand the agricultural business better. This formal education helped him integrate modern farming practices and explore new opportunities in agriculture, such as creating value-added products.

What is Tani Manis Sejahtera (Tamara) and how did it come to be?

Tani Manis Sejahtera (Tamara) is a farmer’s cooperative founded by Iqbal. It was established to help local farmers work together in a more organized and efficient manner. The cooperative, based in Sukaraja, Sukabumi, aims to promote agricultural production and has expanded to seven villages in the area.

What types of crops does Iqbal cultivate on his farm?

Iqbal cultivates a variety of horticultural crops, including chili peppers (rawit, keriting, and large varieties), tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and various leafy greens such as white and green cabbage and pakcoy.

How does Iqbal's farm address market demand?

Iqbal's farm meets market demand by producing popular horticultural crops that are in high demand at local and regional markets. He also markets his products online, offering fresh vegetables and processed products like sambal (chili condiments) to diversify his offerings.

What challenges does Iqbal face in agriculture, and how does he overcome them?

Iqbal faces challenges such as fluctuating crop prices and market demand, as well as the physical labor involved in traditional farming. He overcomes these by adopting smart farming technologies like automated irrigation and precision fertilization, improving efficiency and crop management.

What is smart farming, and how does Iqbal use it?

Smart farming involves using technology to optimize agricultural processes. Iqbal uses automated irrigation systems, which are controlled by smartphones, and precision fertilization, where sensors monitor soil conditions and nutrient levels to apply fertilizers more effectively.

How has Iqbal benefited from government support for young farmers?

Iqbal has benefited from various government programs aimed at supporting young farmers, such as training programs, access to financial support, and guidance from agricultural agencies. These programs help him improve his farming techniques, expand his business, and access larger markets.

What is Iqbal’s message to other young people in Indonesia regarding agriculture?

Iqbal encourages other young people to consider farming as a viable and rewarding career. He stresses the importance of agriculture to Indonesia’s economy and invites millennials to return to rural areas, engage in farming, and help develop the sector to ensure the country’s food security.

What are some of the value-added products Iqbal has developed from his farm’s produce?

Iqbal has developed value-added products such as sambal, made from different types of chilies with various toppings like dried shrimp, squid, and petai. He is also working on chili powder products like boncabe and chili oils for markets such as dim sum restaurants.