For these independent farmers, farming is not just a livelihood; it's a way of life. Having a land starting from 2 hectares, it’s natural for them to have a deep-rooted commitment to their land, also a desire to ensure its continued fertility on their plantations. Some of them are former plasma holders who have chosen to expand their land independently, while the agents and sub-agents have influenced them in promoting self-sustainability among these enterprising individuals. What sets them apart from other farmers is their ability to sell their fresh fruit bunches (FFB) directly to agents and sub-agents.
As the driving force behind the sustainable growth of their agricultural enterprise, their dedication is primarily centered on two key aspects: planting and securing funding. These farmers recognize the critical role of efficient replanting in preserving and enhancing the vitality of their crops, thus bringing them closer to their agricultural aspirations. Then, the ambitions encompass not only obtaining the necessary financial resources for their plantations, but also addressing their daily necessities and securing a prosperous future for their families. Their motivation stems from their desire to create a promising future for their children, utilizing their agricultural expertise to establish additional income streams that can support the educational aspect, spanning from primary school to university. In doing so, it’s important to ensure that their family's hopes and opportunities flourish alongside the expansion of their agricultural holdings.
Meet a Real-life Independent Farmer: Silitonga
Silitonga, a resilient independent farmer, is fueled by an unwavering drive for growth and self-reliance. By harnessing the power of the internet and his own previous experiences, he tends by his best to learn best practices in cultivation, optimizing his crop yields and efficiency. He also recognizes the value of formal institutions or plasma centers in enhancing his knowledge and skills. Thus, he integrates the insights by gaining from these institutions into his independent farming practices, striving to improve his yields and financial stability.
His incoming cash flow primarily relies on his ability to sell fresh fruit bunches (FFB) to agents or sub-agents, which form the backbone of its revenue stream. Aside from daily needs, his income is also used for plantation expenses, including daily wages for workers involved in pruning and fertilization, also for those who are doing crucial harvesting tasks. Additionally, Silitionga must allocate funds to pay drivers responsible for transporting the harvested yield. Balancing these income and outcome factors is essential for him to maintain a sustainability of profitable agricultural enterprise, as this is a part of the way to live.
However, despite his pursuit of knowledge and improvement with the help from plasma farmers, Silitonga remains reluctant to become a full-fledged contract as plasma farmer due to concerns about long-term commitments. Instead, he prefers the role of a partner, seeking arrangements that offer clearer and more transparent. In addition to planting and securing funding, he wants to maintain his autonomy in the agricultural landscape, as this is part of his reason for being an independent farmer.
Facing the Challenges: Funds, Knowledge, and Resource
To embark this journey, the independent farmers face monumental challenges stemming from limited funds, knowledge, and resources. One of a myriad of pains and challenges that often hinder their agricultural endeavors is the limited options for mills to process their crops, which can severely constrain their growth potential. Moreover, short-term misactions can have enduring consequences, affecting the quality of their produce in the long run. These farmers often grapple with a lack of access to modern equipment and best agricultural practices, which further impedes their ability to optimize their yields.
Another challenge for them is the financial burden of replanting, coupled with the loss of income and incentives during this process, thus adding to their woes. Additionally, the high cost of planting inputs, such as fertilizers, can eat into their already limited profits. Furthermore, independent farmers often find themselves earning lower incomes from their fresh fruit bunches (FFB) due to stringent quality standards, making it difficult to break free from the cycle of financial hardship. This cycle of instability is further exacerbated by their difficulty in accessing loans, as banks view them as higher-risk borrowers.
That’s why, as an ideal start, it's essential for them to be more proactive in seeking valuable agricultural knowledge and insights. These enterprising individuals aggressively seek agricultural information and tips, often turning to fellow plasma farmers, mill employees, and the vast realm of social media. But, their limited financial resources make them vulnerable to purchasing counterfeit agricultural inputs, a situation that can significantly impact their yields and profitability. To address this issue, they diligently integrate the knowledge they acquire from sources such as Koperasi Unit Desa (KUD) or contract farming arrangements, applying these insights to enhance their independent farming operations.
What do you think about this? Are you interested in having your own palm oil plantation one day? It is not an easy road, but the experiences they have gained are truly invaluable. Kindly comment below if you have any insight about this article. See you at another SawitBlog!
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