Indonesia Has Few Problem Solvers

The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph. D., criticised that  problem solvers in Indonesia are still few. On the contrary, there are many complainers. “We produce smart plans but very few excellent implemented actions,” said the Rector when opening the Focus Group Discussion Workshop of the Indonesian Farmers Board entitled “Go Organic” at the Meeting Room of UGM Central Office, Tuesday (18/11).

Sudjarwadi said that thinking about an idea for the society is a very good thing. The practices are, however, more on ideas rather than implementation. “The mistakes are that there are too many complainers and few problem solvers,” he explained.
The minimal implementation, according to Sudjarwadi, is often made use by developed countries to utilise Indonesia’s ideas. “They put our ideas into action. We have the awards, but not for the implementation,” he added.

The notion was shared by agricultural economics expert, Prof. Dr. Ir. Moch. Maksum, M.Sc. In his opinion, the Government produces ideas but not implement them. He gave an example back in 2001 of the plan that in 2010 Indonesia would become exporter of organic fertilisers and this was known as “Go Organic”. “This turned out to be a boast, only political pleasantries. The result was zero. We will just get started,” he said.
Chair of the Indonesian Farmers Board, Drs. Ferry Yuliantono, M.Si., said that the problem of moving from chemical to organic fertilisers is very difficult to resolve despite the projected 6 trillion subsidy that will be generated. “We still need to improve quality, control, and training of farmer groups and  small businesses related to that target. The development of organic fertilisers nationally needs to involve farmer groups as they have already done that in the past ten years.”

Meanwhile, economic observer, Aviliani, said that farmers have become victims of instability in price decided by the Government. “Recently, the farmer’s income value has decreased by 100% due to the instability. They became victims whose expense is greater than the income,” he said.
On the shift from chemical to organic fertilisers, according to Aviliani, farmers are not used to organic ones, moreover that companies still produce this type of fertiliser. Therefore, a synergy between the Government, farmers and private sector needs to be made.