In the middle of the pandemic, the agricultural sector has experienced the highest growth compared to other sectors, which tend still to be negative. It was recorded that it had a growth number up to 16.24 percent in the second quarter. Accordingly, the government should give more specific concern to the agricultural sector, especially in promoting farmers and breeders who did not receive much assistance from the government during the pandemic. This statement was highlighted in the Technology Products Webinar broadcasted to the public on Monday (30/11).
The UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine organized this virtual event and several speakers, including Professor of the Faculty of Animal Science UGM Prof. Yuny Erwanto, a ruminant researcher from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM, Dr. drh. Indarjulianto and business practitioner Nur Adianto were invited to the event.
Prof. Yuny Erwanto stated that agricultural food and animal husbandry businesses' opportunities are always open because there will always be an increasing demand for food as the population increases. He also added that despite being affected by the pandemic, the agricultural sector increased positively at 16.24 percent and the information and communication sector 3.44 percent. He hoped the government would pay more attention to the agricultural and livestock sectors. According to Yuny, this condition is in line because a country that provides food needs for its population independently will have a comparative advantage over other nations. "The country must be able to provide food for its citizens to survive," he said.
However, he regretted that a farmer's profession is no longer an interest for the youths, even though it supports national development. "We want to turn farmers into a profession that is appreciated as a support for this nation," he said.
He said that the profession for farmers and breeders does have a high risk because agricultural and livestock products are easily damaged due to physical, chemical, and biological influences and have a short selling period. He suggested that breeders should have a business foundation, such as a cooperative, as a way to connect to consumers. "We need a strong carrying capacity to realize this effort. Farmers need to be assisted and empowered so that when the price turns to high, they are not complacent and can keep the price stable," he said.
Drh. Nur Adianto, as the Goat and sheep business practitioner, said that breeders must have the ability to control the market and its selling process to buyers. So far, cattle, goat, and sheep breeders, according to him, have focused more on expanding businesses but have not developed other products such as milk and processing livestock manure to be processed into organic fertilizer. "Farmers must focus on products and the markets. When breeders participate, they produce a lot of products, so they have a strong bargaining position," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Drh. Indarjulianto, as a UGM FKH lecturer, revealed that his party showed an application to protect my livestock as an effort to prevent Covid-19 transmission from the business of buying and selling livestock and animal feed. "This application is documenting the origin of our livestock."
"We designed this innovation in order to trace the impact of the covid problem on the distribution of livestock and their feed sources. This way is necessary to protect our breeders from contracting the Covid-19 disease," he said.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Antara / Riyad Aqiqah
Translator: Natasa A