More than 45 percent of Indonesia's population of 230 million people are employed in the agricultural sector, be they farmers or people employed by businesses that rely on the sector. Ironically, at present, like in many developing countries, the position of agricultural education is under threat. Nowadays, people in Indonesia underestimate the potentials and prospects of agriculture.
The wane in interest in agriculture in younger generations is most noticeable in the number of youths wanting to continue their study in agriculture at universities in Indonesia over the last five years. Data from the National Education Ministry shows that 40 agriculture schools have been closed due to lack of applicants.
Young people are reluctant to become farmers or work in agricultural sectors. Many of the graduates of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) go on to work in non-agricultural sectors, like journalism. Young people from rural areas leave their villages and move to big cities taking with them agricultural know-how and experience that is wasted in urban areas.
The solution to this problem is not only the government's responsibility. All Indonesian citizens should play a part in spreading a positive image of the role of agriculture in society. Thus, younger generations can begin to appreciate agriculture as a promising sector. One solution is by encouraging college students to educate and promote agriculture through state-of-the-art technologies and its important place in the world's economy to high school, junior high and even elementary students.
Personal communication is an effective way to transfer knowledge and motivate individuals. Senior members of communities who have succeeded in the sector should be encouraged to act as role models for youths, inspiring a new generation to embrace agriculture for the future.
Another way to encourage growth in the sector is to give young people the opportunity to expand their knowledge by studying abroad where they can learn about modern on-farm technology and the latest innovations in agriculture. The global experience could be spread among their peers on how promising agriculture has grown as an industry in many parts of the world.
The creation of community development programs through student creativity programs is another way to help pique interest in younger generations. Many actions could be implied to tackle this problem, whether it is through the help of government, academics or the youth. The challenge now is to implement these solutions and maintain it for the sake of Indonesia's agriculture.
Purnawati Hustina Rachman is a student at the IPB School of Human Ecology. Titis A. P. Apdini studies at the IPB School of Animal Husbandary.
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