lulusan ITS Memilih Jadi Petani Kentang Dan Kembangkan Pertanian Di Kampung Hingga Ke Mancanegara

Summary

Zainal Rabin Damanik, a horticultural farmer from Karo, shares his journey from being an oil and gas hopeful to embracing agriculture. Motivated by his family's struggle despite owning large land, he found that embracing technology and efficient farming practices could significantly improve productivity and prosperity for farmers. Zainal focuses on cultivating high-quality potatoes and expanding his farming operations, aiming to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, innovation, and fair distribution within the agriculture sector, encouraging others to join him in transforming farming into a more rewarding and recognized profession.

Takeaways

• 😀 Zainal Rabin Damanik, a farmer specializing in horticulture, aims to empower farmers to be more efficient, productive, and prosperous.
• 😀 Zainal's motivation for returning to agriculture stemmed from witnessing his parents' struggles as farmers despite owning large land.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of farmers embracing technology, proper planning, and cooperative efforts to achieve sustainable growth.
• 😀 By introducing high-quality seeds and technology, farmers can boost productivity by up to 60%, improving efficiency and resilience against pests.
• 😀 Zainal's parents were initially skeptical, but they have since expanded their farming operation, acquiring over 7 hectares of land and buying vehicles.
• 😀 Successful farming isn't just about owning land; it's about having the right skills, networking, and a hardworking attitude.
• 😀 Different types of agricultural models exist, ranging from intensive to extensive, with varying levels of capital, land, and skills required.
• 😀 Zainal's focus is on growing granola potatoes, which are in high demand due to their ideal size and appearance, with the capacity to supply thousands of tons annually.
• 😀 Greenhouses have been set up to support seed production, and their capacity is continually expanding to meet market demand.
• 😀 Zainal advocates for better compensation for farmers, believing they are often overlooked despite being essential in food production.
• 😀 The goal is to create a fair ecosystem where farmers benefit proportionately from their hard work, enabling the growth of the agricultural sector to meet market needs sustainably.

Q & A

What motivated Zainal Rabin Damanik to pursue agriculture?

Zainal was motivated by his background as the son of a farmer and his early experiences watching his parents struggle despite owning large land. He wanted to find a way to make farming more efficient and profitable, which led him to return to his roots and work in agriculture.

What does Zainal mean by 'agriculture as a business'?

Zainal emphasizes that agriculture should be seen as a business where farmers are efficient, use technology, and focus on producing high-quality crops. He believes this approach will improve farmers' welfare and create a positive impact on the local economy.

How did Zainal’s view on farming change after seeing other farmers in Java?

In Java, he observed that farmers, even without vast land, could thrive because they were well-informed about technology, market planning, and cooperative work. This inspired him to think that with similar practices, farmers in his hometown could also succeed.

What crop does Zainal focus on, and why?

Zainal focuses on potatoes, particularly the Granola variety. This is because his family has been farming potatoes since the 1990s, and the area is known as a potato-growing hub, with a potential for export. He sees it as a crop that can significantly boost productivity and farmer welfare.

What technological innovations does Zainal use to increase potato productivity?

Zainal utilizes high-quality seeds and focuses on improving seedling technology to increase potato yields by up to 60%. He also emphasizes the importance of efficient land management and pest resistance.

How has Zainal’s family farm grown over the years?

Over the past five years, Zainal’s family farm has expanded to over seven hectares of land, with improvements in infrastructure like vehicles and warehouses. His parents, who were initially hesitant, have embraced these changes and shifted their mindset about farming.

What are the two types of farming models Zainal refers to?

Zainal discusses two models: the 'teenebel' model, which requires large land, capital, and infrastructure, and the 'intensive' model, which focuses more on skills, networking, and efficient management rather than land size or capital.

How does Zainal ensure the quality of his produce?

Zainal ensures quality by selecting the right seeds, using proper agricultural practices, and keeping a close eye on crop conditions. He also emphasizes collaboration with partners to maintain high quality and consistency in the harvest.

What is Zainal's long-term vision for the farming sector?

Zainal's long-term vision is to see farmers prosper and be recognized as heroes who contribute significantly to food production. He wants to create a fairer distribution of profits in the agricultural sector and improve the image of farming.

How does Zainal suggest improving collaboration in the agricultural sector?

Zainal suggests that all stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem, from upstream (farmers) to downstream (suppliers and distributors), need to collaborate to increase productivity, stabilize prices, and improve the quality of agricultural products.