indonesian farmer's story

garlic farmer

Monday, 25 November 2019 20:58 PM

Still firmly imprinted in the mind of the memory of the farmers of Tuwel Village Bojong District of Tegal Regency, when local garlic production was successful in its own country in the era of 1982 until the peak of 1995. The economic recession storm that followed liberalization policies directly hit the white gold production area on the northern slopes of Mount Slamet.  Recorded from 1998 to 2017 the production graph fell sharply. Garlic farmers have been "death" for 20 years. Worse yet, research and research on garlic is stagnant, not moving from outdated references and libraries that have been eroded. Historical facts are glorious when garlic farmers were able to send their children to college level, the mosque that built magnificently beyond its time, the, until farmers who flock to go for Hajj from the results of garlic left a sweet history that is almost buried in the memory of farmers who have been old. The onslaught of imported garlic is really able to bury deeply all the expectations of farmers. Tragically, the generation of young Tuwel farmers seemed to lose hope for the future, until there was an exodus of urbanization to the city to just survive. Growing garlic turned into a scourge and taboo for Tegal farmers. Anxiety of farmers and the public about the dependence of imported garlic found its momentum. In 2015, Bank Indonesia Tegal Branch Office created a trial ground in Tuwel through a cluster pattern.  Almost no farmers who want to be involved in the project even the ones that appear are scorn from various parties. However, after going through various processes of intensive approach and assistance, a garlic cluster is formed even though only 1 to 2 hectares.  In 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a policy of expanding the planting area and national garlic production. At first Tegal Regency Government was among the most restrictive with the policy given the dark history that had experienced local farmers.  The central government must go directly to make a persuasive approach to farmers and Tegal regional governments to want to replant garlic. Experiment after experiment conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture with research institutions and universities to ensure that Tegal is indeed potential for garlic development.  Through APBN, the government poured a number of assistance to encourage the expansion of planting and production of garlic. Not only that, Tegal was also chosen as the location of the partnership of importers and farmers. A good collaboration between the center (Kemtan-red), the Government, Bank Indonesia, farmers to importers is able to make Tegal rise again to become the main center of national garlic.  Compete with Sembalun and Bima in NTB, Temanggung, Magelang and Karanganyar in Central Java, and Malang in East Java. Not only that, the planting and production partnership program between garlic importers and farmers initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture was able to provide many benefits for farmers.  The seed warehouses that were empty are now starting to fill up, farmers are passionate to grow and partner, investment continues to come to spur regional economic performance. Encouragingly, the generation of young Tegal farmers slowly but surely many who choose to go home to plunge back into the fields of garlic cultivation. Jitranto and his wife, Tuwel village farmer Bojong District who had migrated to Jakarta told of his decision to return to Tegal to become a garlic farmer.  Anto, the call of this millennial farmer said in 1998 his family had to be brought to Jakarta with a makeshift shirt attached to the body.  "We have had nothing since the garlic tegal porak poranda as a result of imports. Our parents suffered huge losses due to garlic. Since 2015, we have returned and joined the government program. _Alhamdulillah_, slowly but surely there will be a result. This year my wife and even our parents can list ONH plus" explained Anto sumringah.  Together with 18 onion farmers in other villages, Anto and his wife registered Hajj from garlic produce. "What a great blessing" said Anto terjaru. Likewise with Abdul Muin, the villagers of Rembul have no power to hold back the day when expressing the success he felt from garlic.  "Alhamdulillah from garlic can buy soil, Hajj list and others. Even I invited my neighbors to plant garlic" said the middle-aged farmer.  Ahmad Maufur, a young local farmer who was named as a champion or driver of agricultural development, especially garlic in Tegal Regency told a 'success story' how is the magnificent 2-story mosque that is currently being built in the village of Tuwel. "This mosque was once an old mosque that was not feasible to use, then in 2014 we intend to dismantle and build a new one.  The intention was only realized with the start of demolition last year. Since the farmers here again planted garlic in 2018 yesterday, ahamdulillah the contribution of the construction of the mosque became smooth so that the mosque cash reached Rp400 million. All from the results of planting garlic" explained Maufur enthusiastically.  Since the production of local garlic back in the northern slopes of Mount Slamet, the local community began to switch the consumption of imported onions back to local garlic.  People have long known that in terms of taste, local garlic is much stronger and more delicious than imported garlic. Some local housewives also process garlic into _black garlic_ with simple fermentation technology.  According to the confession of one of the local housewives, Hj Fuji, local garlic is very felt for health benefits including for male stamina enhancers. While blushing embarrassed, he admitted the efficacy of local garlic really feels _maknyuusss_ invincible. Garlic area development policy rolled out by the government since 2017 until now is still continuing. Although colored by various pros and cons, the reality in the field shows how the earthquake of farmers replanting garlic.  The euphoria is able to regrow the centers of garlic that had long slumped. In addition to the resurgence of garlic farmers, it is also colored by the growth of seed anchors in some areas. They learn from each other and hone their cultivation and postharvest skills to produce competitive local garlic.  The collective consciousness and independent spirit that the government has unleashed together with garlic farmers has penetrated all corners of the country. The success of planting and local garlic production as shown by Tegal farmers and garlic farmers in other regions in Indonesia is clear evidence that the rise of local garlic to return to success in their own country no longer just a dream, not _dejavu_.  All parties are required to be more wise and wise in addressing this phenomenon. Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo often reminded on every occasion that every program of the Ministry of Agriculture must be a blessing for this nation and bring prosperity to farmers.  For that we need to do our best in the spirit of togetherness, then let God will determine the rest. Hail the Indonesian garlic! In 1997 we were forced to migrate to Jakarta with clothes that are attached to the body, have nothing.Since our garlic is spoiled due to imports.