Organic farming could have healthy future in RI<\/p>\n
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
When a neighboring poultry farm complained that water from her
\nfarm had killed its chickens, Entik Kusnadi learned that the
\naccumulation of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other
\nsubstances she used on her cabbages had polluted the water used
\nfor the chickens.<\/p>\n
\"If this kind of farming could kill chickens, it could surely
\ndo the same to humans,\" Entik told The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
Since then, she has used organic farming methods to grow
\ncarrots, tomatoes, spinach, chilies, cabbages and avocados.<\/p>\n
Although many people still think organic commodities are more
\nexpensive, Entik believes organic farming is a promising business
\nas more and more people realize the importance of organic food
\nfor their health and the health of the environment.<\/p>\n
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there are at least
\n15 million potential customers for organic commodities among
\nIndonesia's population of 220 million.<\/p>\n
However, the head of the ministry's Authority for Organic Food
\nCompetency, Syukur Iwantoro, said the market was currently
\ndominated by foreign players.<\/p>\n
\"The problems are in public awareness and product
\nstandardization,\" he said recently.<\/p>\n
He said many farms and plantations in the country already met
\nthe requirements of organic farming operations simply by
\nfollowing the farming methods passed down to them by their
\nancestors.<\/p>\n
There is no universally accepted definition of organic
\nfarming, but in general it is regarded as a production system
\nthat avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically
\ncompounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and
\nlivestock feed additives.<\/p>\n
To the maximum extent feasible, organic farming systems rely
\non crop rotation, crop residues, animal manure, legumes, green
\nmanure, off-farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral
\nbearing rocks and aspects or biological pest control to maintain
\nsoil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients and to
\ncontrol weeds, insects and other pests.<\/p>\n
Syukur used gayo coffee and cashew nut plantations in the
\ncountry as an example of operations that unknowingly implemented
\nthe methods of organic farming.<\/p>\n
\"There are many other commodities in the country that are
\ncultivated using organic farming methods without the farmers
\nrealizing it,\" he said. \"Now we are here to open their eyes,
\nbefore the foreigners do.\"<\/p>\n
Because organic commodities are perceived as expensive, many
\nfarmers and big plantations, upon realizing the potential of
\norganic farming, seek international recognition through formal
\naccreditation from foreign agencies.<\/p>\n
This recognition will enable them to export to major world
\nmarkets such as the U.S., Canada and the European Union, as well
\nas smaller but promising markets like Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
To gain international recognition, an organic farmer must pay
\nup to Rp 250 million (US$28,000), which remains beyond the reach
\nof most farmers in the country.<\/p>\n
Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture made state surveyor
\nfirm PT Sucofindo the country's first accreditation agency for
\norganic products. The company says it charges farmers far lower
\nfees than international companies, but declined to state a
\nfigure.<\/p>\n
Syukur said the ministry would boost Sucofindo's competency by
\ncooperating with international certification agencies, raising
\nthe firm's recognition with both domestic farmers and the global
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
In the long term, the ministry hopes to benefit from the
\nworld's $23 billion organic commodities market.<\/p>\n
But Entik said Sucofindo certification would cost her up to Rp
\n60 million, a sum she considers to be still too expensive.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, she will concentrate on distributing her
\nproducts in the domestic market rather than exporting them.<\/p>\n
She has found happiness in growing and distributing organic
\nfood to people seeking a healthier way of life.<\/p>\n
On her expanded one hectare of land, compared to 2,000 square
\nmeters when she first started with her husband, she also has
\ndeveloped a healthy \"industrial\" relationship with her farm
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
With conventional farming, commodity prices fluctuate based on
\nseveral factors, such as the price of fertilizers, which can yo-
\nyo depending on government subsidies.<\/p>\n
The market price for conventionally grown tomatoes can go as
\nhigh as Rp 8,000 per kilogram or as low as Rp 1,000 per kilo.<\/p>\n
But the price of organic tomatoes is usually flat at about Rp
\n6,000 per kilo, thus providing a steady income for farmers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/organic-farming-could-have-healthy-future-in-ri-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}