Young People

Falling in Love

With Agriculture

East Sumba Regency is one of the districts in East Nusa Tenggara that is rich of natural resources. One of them is agriculture. Wetland area in East Sumba regency is about 15,601 Ha and dry land area 547,701 Ha (BPS Kabupaten Sumba Timur, 2016: 193-197). Astronomically the district of Sumba Timur is between 119 ° 45-120 ° 52 East Longitude (BT) and 9 ° 16-10 ° 20 South Latitude (LS). Geographically, East Sumba regency has northern boundaries with the Sumba Strait, south to the Indian Ocean, east to Sabu Sea, west to Central Sumba Regency (BPS of East Sumba District, 2016: 3).

The market demand of Waingapu is instable, sometimes it is overproduction, other wise, there is a stock shortage. Actually, there are several horticulture centres that support Waingapu market that is Marada Mundi, Kiritana village, Lambanapu, Mauliru, Maulumbi, Mauhau and Kawangu villages. Several areas above can produce agriculture in the dry season, but others cannot produce because they are on the river bank (Marada Mundi village, Kiritana village) and some other areas have no agriculture innovation in the rainy season.

The real situation above is one of the social problems as well as business opportunities in the field of horticultural agriculture. Some young people who are still students majoring in economics and also members of Stube-HEMAT Sumba, see a potency for business opportunity in such situation. Therefore, they formed a Young Farmers Community who decided to become a business actor in agriculture. The strategy in developing agriculture is by establishing a center of agricultural production. The goal is to maximize natural resources and educate public that a village or a place can be recognized with its superior products.

The Young Farmers Community has a network with Red Arrow, a provider of quality and reliable seed for the community. Young Farmers Community has members, namely Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara, Aloysius Umbu Sili Ndingu, Hendrikus Hina Lunggu Manu and Francis K. Halang. The strategy is to use social media such as Facebook, Whatsapp, business identity card and direct approach with buyers in the market and in food stalls. This community is optimistic in agricultural production center-based production. One important reason why cultivating this field, because agriculture is a food necessity or basic need and consumers definitely need food every time.  Agricultural business is one big business if it is seriously done by utilizing technology and agricultural innovation. In addition, market demand for food will never stop.

Currently Fredi and Aloysius are building Horticulture business and developing some 4000 seedlings of chili, 1,000 seedlings of watermelon and some other plants such as melon, cabbage, papaya, purple eggplant and pariah in Lambanapu. While at the same time, Hendrikus Hina Lunggu Manu and Francis K. Halang developed a hybrid corn business in a 2 Ha field in Kadumbul.

This community business development is not only focused on the members but also coaching for young people so they can grow as young business actors and can meet the needs of everyday life. (Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara)