Java Agriculture in Jeopardy
20 images Created 18 Jan 2018
Etymologically, “Java” is derived from Sanskrit “Javadvipa”, the land of seeds. It is either barley or rice; were commonly found in the island since the ancient kingdoms. In the era of ancient monarchy; Tarumanegara, Mataram and Majapahit, the reign was founded on farming, the majority of people livelihood is farmer. The emerge of a kingdom started by farmers gathered and organised and administered their activity including the distribution of harvest.
Java island is blessed with fertility because it is located on the active ring of fire. At least there are 44 volcanoes which 16 of them are still active until today. Most of the slopes on the volcanoes are occupied for farmland. Farmers in this area have a better life than farmers on the lowland because of the range of plantable plants is wider and have better commodity price. This is also supported by better agricultural techniques. Java is important island in Indonesia, it dominances in political, economical and cultural sectors. It is populated by 60% of Indonesia population or more than 140 millions people and made it the world's most populous island even though the island's size is similar as England. Surprisingly, it produces the 50% or more of national agricultural products such as rice, soy bean, corn, chilli, onions etc., the island feeds the country. Every year, at least 100.000 hectare farmland converted to residences or industrial area.
Beside the farmland shrinkage, the rapid losing number of farmers also threatening the Indonesia food security and sovereignty. More than 60% of farmers in Indonesia aged 45 years old or older and only 11.5% aged under 35 years old as surveyed by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistic. The statistic number shows the vulnerability of agricultural sustainability in 20-30 years ahead. Young generation prefer working in an office such as in banking, industry and hospitality.
Quoted from World Economic Forum, in Indonesia agriculture contribute 45% of jobs availability. In fact, the agriculture needs more improvement and innovation in which is expected come from young generation. With all those opportunities, Indonesia has to working on farmer regeneration.
An hour from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, located on the Menoreh hill, a primary school revolutionized its education system. They teach the students organic farming and grow vegetables and bring it on the table for lunch time. Back in 1998, the school was almost closed down due to lack of students. The parents and some locals wanted to keep the school operating so they decided to finance it collectively. Knowing that it would not last long, an idea came up to cultivating the soil behind the school and then sold the products to local market and used the money for the school operational. Later, some donors interested in the program and gave financial support to expand the school program. It is one success story in which agriculture, regardless the scale, can be relied on for living.
-edited-
Java island is blessed with fertility because it is located on the active ring of fire. At least there are 44 volcanoes which 16 of them are still active until today. Most of the slopes on the volcanoes are occupied for farmland. Farmers in this area have a better life than farmers on the lowland because of the range of plantable plants is wider and have better commodity price. This is also supported by better agricultural techniques. Java is important island in Indonesia, it dominances in political, economical and cultural sectors. It is populated by 60% of Indonesia population or more than 140 millions people and made it the world's most populous island even though the island's size is similar as England. Surprisingly, it produces the 50% or more of national agricultural products such as rice, soy bean, corn, chilli, onions etc., the island feeds the country. Every year, at least 100.000 hectare farmland converted to residences or industrial area.
Beside the farmland shrinkage, the rapid losing number of farmers also threatening the Indonesia food security and sovereignty. More than 60% of farmers in Indonesia aged 45 years old or older and only 11.5% aged under 35 years old as surveyed by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistic. The statistic number shows the vulnerability of agricultural sustainability in 20-30 years ahead. Young generation prefer working in an office such as in banking, industry and hospitality.
Quoted from World Economic Forum, in Indonesia agriculture contribute 45% of jobs availability. In fact, the agriculture needs more improvement and innovation in which is expected come from young generation. With all those opportunities, Indonesia has to working on farmer regeneration.
An hour from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, located on the Menoreh hill, a primary school revolutionized its education system. They teach the students organic farming and grow vegetables and bring it on the table for lunch time. Back in 1998, the school was almost closed down due to lack of students. The parents and some locals wanted to keep the school operating so they decided to finance it collectively. Knowing that it would not last long, an idea came up to cultivating the soil behind the school and then sold the products to local market and used the money for the school operational. Later, some donors interested in the program and gave financial support to expand the school program. It is one success story in which agriculture, regardless the scale, can be relied on for living.
-edited-
