Reflection on National Farmers Day 2024: Challenges and Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture
Based on the data presented by Head of Center of Food, Energy, and Sustainable Development INDEF Abra Talattov, it is stated that in 2015, the contribution of the agricultural sector to GDP reached 13.5%. While in 2023, it only reached 12.5%. In line with that, the absorption of labor in the agricultural sector also continues to shrink. In 2015, the labor market share of the agricultural sector reached 32.9% and in 2023 it dropped to 29.4%.
Young people are increasingly losing interest in working in the agricultural sector because they see the enormous risks and also the lack of guaranteed welfare in the agricultural sector. In fact, in the modern era, opportunities in the agricultural sector are increasingly diverse. Technology can play an important role in the modernization of the agricultural sector.
- Agribusiness and Digital Marketing: combining technology and digital platforms to market agricultural products directly to consumers.
- Smart Farming: technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence enable production optimization.
- Agricultural Product Processing: into value-added products such as processed foods, beverages, or beauty products. Innovations in these products have a broad market, both locally and internationally.
- Agricultural Tourism (Agrotourism): developing agrotourism that offers a vacation experience while learning about agriculture, such as fruit orchards, farms, or gardens.
- Agricultural Startups: offering solutions for small farmers, such as land management applications, farmer financing platforms, or harvest marketplaces.