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View all search resultsUnclear regulation puts Acehnese farmer-CEO in legal fix
A case involving the arrest of a farmer who is also the top executive of an agriculture company illustrates a lack of legal clarity in the use, distribution and registration of home-grown seeds.
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A farmer works among rows of green paddy in a rice field. (Shutterstock/-)
T
he freedom of Indonesian farmers has entered the media spotlight after local police apprehended a farmer in Aceh province for using and distributing uncertified rice seeds.
Munirwan, of Meunasah Reyuk village in North Aceh regency, was arrested last month for the commercial use of IF8 rice seeds, which is not on the Agriculture Ministry's list of registered seeds.
The police have declared Munirwan as a suspect and charged him under Article 12 of the 1992 Law on Crop Cultivation and Law No. 42/2012 on the Agriculture Ministry. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 250 million (US$17,595).
Farmer Seeds Sovereignty Coalition (KKBP) spokesperson Muhammad Rifai said that Munirwan's arrest illustrated a lack of clarity in farmers’ freedom in crop management and innovation.
“The majority of farmers buy seeds that are compatible with most pesticides and herbicides, instead of using the seeds they grow themselves. Most of the seeds that are available [in the market] boost productivity, but lack flavor. When someone like Munirwan uses his own [IF8] seeds to minimize costs and is arrested for it, how can we call that justice?” Muhammad said.
According to Article 12 of the 1992 Law on Crop Cultivation, Indonesian farmers are allowed to plant crops using seeds that they grow, and are also allowed to distribute their seeds without notifying the local administration.
In addition, the 2012 Agriculture Ministry Law stipulates that small-scale farmers are not required to inform the local administration if they want to use and distribute home-grown seeds in their community.
