Permasalahan Pertanian Di Indonesia ~ Penyebab Pertanian Di Indonesia Masih Tertinggal

Summary

The transcript discusses the reasons why Indonesia, despite being an agrarian country with abundant natural resources, lags behind other Asian nations like Japan, China, and Thailand in agriculture. Key issues include the reluctance of younger generations to pursue farming, reliance on traditional agricultural methods, limited use of advanced technology, and inefficient infrastructure. Additionally, the budget allocation prioritizes fertilizer subsidies, neglecting agricultural research and technological advancements. These factors collectively hinder Indonesia's agricultural productivity, despite the country's rich potential.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Indonesia is considered a leading agricultural country compared to other Asian countries like Japan, China, and Thailand due to its vast agrarian land and abundant water resources.
• 👩‍🌾 Despite having a strong agricultural tradition, many young people in Indonesia are no longer interested in farming, viewing it as less prestigious than other professions.
• 📉 The farming community is shrinking as fewer educated individuals pursue agriculture, leading to the dominance of the same small groups in farming.
• 🧑‍🌾 Traditional farming methods are still widely used in Indonesia, resulting in lower yields compared to other countries like Thailand, where modern farming techniques are applied.
• 📊 Indonesia's rice production per hectare is significantly lower than that of Thailand, affecting the country’s competitiveness in the market.
• 💸 The government's budget prioritization for agriculture is weak, with a heavy focus on fertilizer subsidies, especially for chemical fertilizers, despite other countries moving away from them for sustainability reasons.
• 🏗️ Infrastructure for agricultural support, such as irrigation and rural roads, is insufficient compared to the country's vast agricultural land, hindering progress.
• 🔬 Research and development in agricultural technology in Indonesia lags behind that of other countries like China, where advanced techniques like engineered irrigation systems are used to improve efficiency.
• 🚜 Technological advancements in farming, such as bioengineering, have not been widely adopted in Indonesia, putting the country at a disadvantage in agricultural productivity.
• 🚚 Distribution challenges, especially in remote areas like Kalimantan, lead to significant post-harvest losses as produce spoils before reaching key markets in regions like Java.

Q & A

Why is Indonesia considered advanced in agriculture compared to other Asian countries?

Indonesia is considered advanced in agriculture due to its vast land area, abundant water resources, and a history of proven agricultural practices that have been respected by other countries, including Thailand and Malaysia, who have sent their students to learn agriculture at IPB Bogor.

What are the main reasons for the decline in the prestige of farming as a profession in Indonesia?

The prestige of farming has declined because educated individuals, especially the younger generation, prefer to become office workers rather than farmers. The societal view is that being a farmer does not have a high status.

How does the traditional approach to agriculture in Indonesia affect its competitiveness?

Indonesia's traditional approach to agriculture, such as the use of conventional farming and maintenance methods, results in lower yields compared to other countries that have adopted more modern and efficient techniques.

What is an example of yield difference between Indonesia and Thailand in rice farming?

In Indonesia, one hectare of rice farming can yield up to 7-8 tons, whereas in Thailand, it can yield 10-12 tons per hectare.

How does the price of rice per kilogram in Indonesia compare to the potential revenue from higher yields in Thailand?

If rice is sold at 10,000 IDR per kilogram, Indonesia could earn 80,679,712 IDR from 8 tons, while Thailand could earn up to 120,000,000 IDR from 12 tons on the same land area.

What is the impact of weak political will and budget allocation on Indonesian agriculture?

Weak political will and budget allocation have led to insufficient subsidies for fertilizers and a lack of investment in agricultural infrastructure, which hampers the sector's growth and competitiveness.

Why are chemical fertilizers still subsidized in Indonesia despite being phased out in more advanced countries?

Chemical fertilizers are still subsidized in Indonesia due to political and budgetary decisions that favor certain groups, despite the environmental and sustainability concerns associated with their use.

How does the application of biotechnology in agriculture differ between Indonesia and more advanced countries?

Advanced countries like China have implemented biotechnological innovations such as water with nutrient solutions for irrigation, whereas Indonesia still struggles with basic irrigation challenges, such as using brackish water that can kill crops.

What are the main issues with agricultural infrastructure in Indonesia?

Agricultural infrastructure in Indonesia is limited and unevenly distributed. For example, while there is an abundance of horticultural produce in Kalimantan, the distribution channels are inadequate, leading to waste and lack of access in areas like Java.

How does the distribution of agricultural research funding affect productivity and efficiency in Indonesian agriculture?

The distribution of research funding is crucial for improving productivity and efficiency in agriculture. However, the current political and budgetary focus may not be adequately supporting agricultural research, which could be a reason for the lag in innovation and technology adoption.

What steps can Indonesia take to improve its competitiveness in agriculture compared to countries like Japan, China, and Thailand?

Indonesia can improve its competitiveness by adopting modern farming techniques, investing in agricultural infrastructure, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, and increasing support for agricultural research and technology development.