As President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s chief of staff, as well as chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI), I was given the opportunity to bring the event to its conclusion with a cautious message for all delegates of this strategic forum. 

Today, we face a common enemy, namely the threat of a global food crisis. This enemy is in sight and moving very fast. Data from the 2023 FAO state of food and nutrition report says that 735 million people in the world are at risk of chronic hunger because of various reasons, one of which is the problem of farmer regeneration.  

All over the world, younger generations are less interested in entering the agricultural sector while farmers, as well as the equipment they use, are aging. 

The question is, how will we feed the world in 20 years if there are fewer farmers?

Right now, instead of worrying about the fate and the future of the world, we need to do everything in our power to better promote youth in the agrifood sector. 

In my opinion, appreciation and rhetoric alone are not enough. Simply discussing the problem of farmer regeneration is also not enough. We are obliged and responsible to provide real opportunities with real actions so that young and eager minds that are hungry for opportunities will be able to make a greater impact. I believe that if we give these young minds a real chance, they will be ready to take on the responsibilities.

Indonesia has the fourth largest population in the world. The good news is that we are experiencing a demographic bonus, young people are our capital. So, preparing young people in the agricultural sector from upstream to downstream must be our focus. This is one of our commitments to taking part in transforming the food and agricultural systems. 

The following are the concrete steps we have taken so far.

First, we initiated the Presidential Staff College. We gather intelligent young people to be potential leaders of the future, some of whom are even critical of the government. We invite them to understand the complexity of state management in making public policy, by studying and working in the Presidential Staff Office.

Some of them have even organized demonstrations against the government. It is often crucial that the youth be critical. This character of young people is necessary as it shows a love for and willingness to build the country.

To this end, the Presidential Staff College and FAO Indonesia have collaborated to provide an understanding on the threat of a food crisis because of climate change, and the importance of sustainable agriculture. We also brought several of them to the WFF, because I believe they are future Indonesian leaders who need to understand the complexities of the world and the priorities of the future.

Second, as chairman of the Indonesian Farmers' Association (HKTI), I formed Maju Tani, a forum for young people to carry out smart farming using a meta farming model, to overcome some of the issues resented by climate change.

With a technological approach, artificial intelligence (AI), community and business system updates, it has been proven that more and more young people are now interested in entering the agricultural business. They can even go beyond the boundaries of traditional farming.

Their educational background is not only agriculture, but also includes business and information technology. A close collaboration between generation X farmers and baby boomers would allow for an exchange of wisdom and technology.

Third, I encourage young people to conduct more research and to innovate, one result of which has been shown in the development of MD70 rice seeds, which save 30 days of harvest time without destroying soil nutrients, and with a yield of 9 tonnes per hectare. I believe research and development is the right answer for the food insecurity of today and tomorrow.

Fourth, as a tropical farming country, I also believe that promoting biodiversity diversification and preservation is centrak to Indonesia’s efforts to face the food challenges caused by climate change. For this reason, I invite young people to lead projects on new food sources, including sorghum and sago.

Finally, I would like to again stress that we need to be cautious. Be aware that the food security issue is not just about filling your stomach, but also determines the security of a country. When food security is disrupted, national stability and global stability will also be disrupted.

If the younger generation does not take a greater role in the agricultural sector, then our common enemy, the food crisis, will beat us.

This is why I appeal to global leaders and international organizations to work together toward our common goals. 

Indonesia has been open to innovative and fresh collaboration for a long time, as rightly stated by Indonesia's founding father, President Sukarno, with his idea of a "Beautiful Garden Among Nations", a place for joint work and harmony to achieve common goals.  

Indonesia has initiated this joint movement and has shown its leadership qualities in many global fora, such as the Group of 20, ASEAN, the Archipelagic Islands State Forum (AIS), participation in South-South Triangular cooperation and various other multilateral groups.

I also believe that through the WFF, and under the able leadership of the executive heads of Rome-based agencies, we will be able to realize youth-led transformation for better agrifood systems.

To all the youth, it is time for you to lead these movements, take the opportunity and move forward!  We will support you with tangible work, not only rhetoric.

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The writer is chief of staff of the President and chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI). The views expressed are his own.