Milenial & Teknologi Bertani

Summary

The video highlights the growing interest among young people in agriculture, showcasing the story of Rehan, a 31-year-old entrepreneur who transitioned from a background in finance to hydroponic farming. He shares his journey of starting a small-scale farm using modern technologies like automated nutrient control and LED lighting. The focus is on indoor farming, improving crop yield, and maintaining consistent harvests despite external conditions. Rehan also emphasizes the importance of creativity in adding value to farm products, promoting food sovereignty, and encouraging the younger generation to engage in sustainable farming.

Takeaways

• 🌱 More young people are embracing farming as a profession and proudly identifying as farmers, showing a shift in perception about agriculture.
• 🌍 Neighboring countries, even those without strong agricultural backgrounds, send young people to Indonesia to learn about the agricultural industry.
• 🏡 Villa Duta Farm specializes in hydroponic farming, growing various vegetables for personal use, restaurants, and direct distribution to end-users.
• 🧪 Hydroponic farming at Villa Duta Farm began in late 2016 and was initially a small-scale experiment. The founder has a background in finance, with no prior experience in agriculture.
• 🔧 The farm uses advanced automation technology to control nutrient levels, pH, and temperature, ensuring an optimized environment for plant growth.
• 💡 The farm is experimenting with indoor farming using LED lighting, which could allow for vertical farming and increased productivity compared to outdoor farming.
• 🍽️ Most of the vegetables grown are supplied to the founder's own restaurant and other retail outlets, though distribution has shifted due to the pandemic.
• 💵 Starting costs for hydroponic farming can be low, and the founder began by using affordable, second-hand materials to minimize initial investment.
• 👩‍🌾 The founder emphasizes creativity in agriculture, encouraging young people to add value to their products and contribute to national food security.
• 🇮🇩 Food sovereignty is seen as a critical goal for Indonesia, a historically agrarian nation, and young people are encouraged to participate in agriculture to preserve this heritage and reduce reliance on food imports.

Q & A

What shift in perception regarding farming is highlighted in the video?

The video highlights a shift in perception where farming, previously seen as a profession looked down upon, is now viewed more positively. Young farmers are increasingly proud to call themselves farmers, and many people from non-agricultural countries come to Indonesia to learn about farming.

What is the main focus of Villa Duta Farm?

Villa Duta Farm focuses on hydroponic farming, growing various vegetables for personal consumption, use in their restaurant, and distribution to end-users.

What educational background does the speaker have, and how does it relate to farming?

The speaker has a background in finance and accounting, having studied at Monash University in Malaysia and completed a master's in finance in Australia. Despite having no direct connection to agriculture through education, the speaker emphasizes that this background provided useful knowledge for running the farm business.

Why did the speaker decide to pursue farming despite his finance background?

The speaker chose to pursue farming because he saw it as a business opportunity that would always be in demand. He was also influenced by his father, who asked him to help with his business, and by his own desire to start a venture.

How does Villa Duta Farm use technology in their farming operations?

Villa Duta Farm uses automation and technology to control their hydroponic system. This includes managing nutrient levels, pH, and water temperature. The farm also experiments with indoor farming, using LED lights to grow plants without relying on sunlight.

What are the advantages of indoor farming according to the speaker?

Indoor farming allows for vertical stacking of crops, which increases productivity. It also provides more consistent harvests since the process relies on technology instead of natural elements like weather. Additionally, it allows for better climate control, which is useful for growing crops that require specific conditions.

How has the distribution model of the farm changed due to the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, the farm supplied vegetables primarily to hotels and restaurants. However, with reduced hotel activity during the pandemic, the farm shifted its focus to promoting retail sales and direct distribution to consumers.

What does the speaker suggest for young people interested in starting a farming business?

The speaker advises young people to start small when entering the farming business, especially if they are unsure of the market. He suggests gradually scaling the business to avoid potential difficulties with distribution.

Why did the speaker and his team start their own restaurant, and how does it relate to their farming?

They started their own restaurant to add more value to their farm products. The fresh vegetables grown on the farm are used as key ingredients in the restaurant's dishes, highlighting the freshness and quality of their produce.

What does the speaker see as the role of young people in ensuring food security?

The speaker believes that young people play a crucial role in building food security and preventing the decline of Indonesia's agricultural identity. He emphasizes the need for a new generation of farmers to ensure that the country can continue producing enough food domestically.