TNC IPB University Holds Kenduri Tani 2023, a Dialogue Space for Farmers and Fishermen with Academics and Government

In order to enliven the 60th Anniversary of IPB University and National Farmers’ Day which falls on 24 September 2023, Tani Nelayan Center (TNC) IPB University held Kenduri Tani. This event was supported by Gerakan Petani Nusantara (GPN) and Koalisi Rakyat untuk Kedaulatan Pangan (KRKP).

Kenduri Tani 2023 was attended by more than 250 representatives of farmers and fishermen from various regions in Indonesia. At the peak of the event, TNC IPB University also invited farmers around the campus.

The Chairman of TNC IPB University, Prof Hermanu Triwidodo, explained that Kenduri Tani is an activity where farmers and fishermen meet with academics and other parties such as government representatives. Through this activity, farmers and fishermen can convey their ideas and express problems that occur in the field.

“This dialogue space is important to continue to grow because farmers and fishermen need to continue to exist to support the establishment of this nation. If they die, we will also die. Therefore, TNC IPB University and supporting organisations through this activity invite all parties to maintain, liberate, and glorify farmers and fishermen,” said Prof Hermanu (24/9).

Prof Hermanu hopes Kenduri Tani can connect the needs of farmers and fishermen and become an interconnected channel between them and researchers and academics, thus creating collective work that can encourage improvements in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

“With the spirit of National Farmers’ Day, we hope that farmers, fishermen, and academics can walk together to strengthen each other, so that the ideals of the birth of independent, sovereign, and noble farmers can be realised soon,” he concluded.

A farmer from Gunung Kidul, Suparjiyem, was grateful to be able to participate in Kenduri Tani 2023. The experiences of farmers and fishermen from various regions become provisions to be transmitted back to the farmers in her group.

In addition, through this activity, she also feels happy because she can express her heart to academics and government representatives. According to him, farmers rarely complain directly. In fact, farmers struggle on the land every day while facing various problems. Starting from the scarcity of fertilisers, the increasing number of pests and diseases, to prices that are not profitable for farmers.

“Farmers need support so that they can continue to produce and feed the Indonesian people,” he said.

Syarif, a fisherman from Pelabuhanratu, Sukabumi, said that the life of fishermen is the same as farmers who are still far from prosperous. Various obstacles must be faced by fishermen, ranging from limited fishing gear, the impact of climate change, limited technology, to low selling prices. Therefore, fishermen want meaningful changes in their lives. If not, fishermen and farmers will eventually disappear.

“Who should we complain to, because every time we feel there is no change. If this continues, I am worried that there will be no more farmers or fishermen, because young people no longer want to be fishermen. Seeing their parents living in poverty, they don’t want to. We feel that Kenduri Tani is an opportunity for us to speak out. Hopefully there will be changes in the future,” said Syarif.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), Prof Nunung Nuryartono, said that the welfare of farmers and fishermen must be considered. According to him, what was discussed and conveyed by farmers and fishermen at the Kenduri Tani event was really a problem that occurred in the field.

“It is also important to realise that our brothers and sisters, the farmers and fishermen, are still relatively underprivileged. Therefore, various programmes can be directed so that we can target our brothers and sisters farmers and fishermen without mistargeting, so that what was conveyed earlier is confirmed how we should see the needs from below are accommodated,” he said.

Kenduri Tani 2023, which was held for four days, produced inputs and recommendations compiled by farmers and fishermen from various regions. The recommendations include aspects of production, distribution, marketing, and institutions. The recommendations were submitted to IPB University, government representatives, and other related parties. (MHT/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)