Youth brain drain: A hidden threat in Indonesia’s agriculture sector

Indonesia is experiencing a decline in its farming workforce, with the number of farmers decreasing from 31.7 million in 2013 to 29.3 million in 2023, a 7.5 percent drop over ten years. The situation is particularly concerning for young farmers aged 19 to 39, who constitute only 21.93 percent of the total, or around 6.18 million people. Even fewer young farmers, only 2.60 million, utilize digital technology.

This brain drain is not just an issue for Indonesia's government; it also affects ASEAN and Australia due to the stability of the region's food supply, including exports. On the ground, this is evident when speaking with Mr. X, a watermelon farmer in East Lampung, who sold grade A watermelon at varying prices due to a lack of standardization. Another farmer, Mr. Z, lost a significant amount to pest attacks and water scarcity, highlighting the need for better support and networking among younger farmers.

The trend suggests that older farmers are dominating, with the number of farmers aged 65 and above increasing from 3.3 million to 4.7 million, while the number of farmers aged 15 to 24 grew only slightly, from 292,000 to 363,000. Meanwhile, workers aged 35 to 44 make up the largest group in cities, indicating a shift away from farming as the primary occupation.

The Ministry of Agriculture's Petani Millennial program aims to address this issue, but its effectiveness is questionable. Farmers like Rizky from West Java have reported issues with receiving payments from the program. Additionally, the program lacks transparency and a clear impact assessment.

To fix this issue, the focus should be on what young farmers truly need, which is certainty. This includes having clear contracts regarding land and sales, fair and transparent transactions, and accessible loans with Sharia financing options. Moreover, involving academics, researchers, and practitioners as mentors can help bridge the gap between generations and make farming a safe and appealing profession for young people.

The solution lies in creating a collective approach rather than a siloed program, paving the way for young farmers to thrive in the agriculture sector.