The Benefits of Being a Millennial Farmer, Contributing to National Food Security and Earning a Salary of Rp10 Million per Month

Kapanlagi.com - Indonesia is currently facing serious challenges in the agricultural sector, where the dominance of older generation farmers threatens the sustainability of domestic food production. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reveals that the majority of farmers in the country are baby boomers aged between 41 and 56 years.

In light of this situation, the government is not remaining silent. The Ministry of Agriculture has launched an innovative program called Millennial Farmers, aimed at attracting the younger generation to get involved in agriculture.

This program offers enticing incentives of up to Rp10 million per month, as well as access to advanced modern technology. With this initiative, it is hoped that Indonesia's agricultural sector can avoid potential food security crises in the future.

1. Addressing the Lack of Young Generations in the Agricultural Sector

The interest of the younger generation in engaging in the agricultural world is still minimal, with only about 21.93% of farmers in Indonesia coming from the millennial group. The majority of farmers today are older generations, aged above 41, raising concerns about a potential regeneration crisis in this sector.

According to Liputan6.com, the negative stigma surrounding the profession of farming as a job that offers less financial promise, coupled with the difficulty of accessing capital and working conditions deemed less attractive, are the main barriers for young people to enter the field.

The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized, "In the past, 65 percent of reliable jobs in Indonesia were farmers, but now young people are reluctant to choose this path."

2. Millennial Farmer Program

The Ministry of Agriculture launched the Millennial Farmer Program as an innovative step to spark the interest of the younger generation in the agricultural world. In this effort, they offer an enticing salary of Rp10 million per month, which is expected to showcase the promising income potential of this profession.

Not only that, this program is also equipped with modern technology training to enhance productivity and reduce risks, as well as open various new opportunities in the agricultural, fisheries, plantations, and livestock sectors.

By involving various stakeholders, it is hoped that a sustainable and independent agricultural ecosystem will be created, making agriculture an attractive choice for the current generation.

3. Encouraging Innovation and Digitalization in Agriculture

The Millennial Farmers Program not only offers financial incentives but also promotes digital technology innovations in the agricultural sector.

Through training on advanced tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, and farm management applications, the involved youth are expected to enhance crop yields more efficiently.

These modern tools enable millennial farmers to monitor land conditions in real-time, manage water and fertilizer usage more optimally, and reduce the risk of losses due to climate change and pest attacks.

4. Attracting Youth Interest in Farming Professions

One of the biggest challenges in attracting the younger generation to agriculture is the perception that this profession is not financially rewarding.

Many young people view farming as an unpromising job and prefer to seek other careers that seem more appealing.

However, with the introduction of the Millennial Farmers Program offering salaries of up to Rp10 million per month, the government aims to change this perspective and demonstrate that farming can be a very promising profession.

"With the presence of incentives and the application of technology, we hope that millennial farmers can not only meet their living needs but also contribute to improving the quality of national food production," said Zulkifli Hasan.

5. Enhancing Food Security and Reducing Import Dependency

The Millennial Farmers Program is not just about attracting the interest of the younger generation to enter the agricultural world, but also aims to strengthen national food security.

With an increasing number of trained millennial farmers who master modern technology, it is hoped that domestic food production can meet needs without having to rely on imports.

The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasizes that dependence on imports will only weaken our food sovereignty. "If we continue to depend on imports, food sovereignty will be lost, and Indonesia will find it difficult to progress, leading to poverty for the community and farmers," he asserted.

Through this program, it is hoped that more productive and skilled farmers will emerge to face challenges in the food sector.

6. Supporting Sustainable Agriculture with Millennial Farmers

The Millennial Farmers Program not only focuses on increasing productivity but also promotes an environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural spirit.

With high hopes, the government encourages this young generation to adopt efficient farming practices while maintaining environmental sustainability, such as the use of organic fertilizers and smart water resource management. Through this initiative, the future of Indonesian agriculture is expected to be brighter and more sustainable.

7. What is the Millennial Farmers Program?

The Millennial Farmers Program, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, serves as a smart solution to attract the younger generation to engage in the agricultural world.

By offering attractive financial incentives and advanced technological support, this initiative aims to transform the face of agriculture into a more modern and dynamic sector, allowing young people to see the incredible potential of this often outdated industry.

8. How much do millennial farmers earn in this program?

Millennial farmers who join this program have the opportunity to earn an enticing salary of up to Rp10 million per month, a financial support provided by the government to encourage enthusiasm and innovation among the youth in the agricultural sector.

9. What is the main goal of the Millennial Farmers program?

The main mission of this initiative is to renew the generation of farmers, strengthen food security in the homeland, and promote sustainable agriculture for a brighter future.

10. Why are young people reluctant to become farmers?

Many young people are reluctant to step into the world of agriculture, hindered by the stigma of low income, difficulties in obtaining capital, and the perception that this sector is less attractive.

This uncertainty and these challenges create a gap between the youth and the extraordinary potential that agriculture possesses, a field that can actually be a land of opportunities if viewed from the right perspective.

(kpl/rmt)