“As a daughter of a farmer, I am so proud of my parents as well as proud to become an agripreneur.” –Ratih Indrawati
I am 28 years old agripreneur from Pagon 1 Village, Subang District, West Java and this is my story.
Both of my parents are farmers. My family does rice farming, producing organic fertilizer, as well as producing jackfruits processing products. At first, I only helped my parents to produce and to process jackfruits into chips. After some time of observation, I realized that what we do have more opportunities and good prospects to be explored as long as there is a further quality development involved.
The markets and consumers’ response are positive and the demand towards our products increases from time to time. Moreover, the fact that I am close to the transit area towards Ciater and Lembang tourism, Bandung, West Java adds another extra selling point. Starting as the support hand, now I have become the main person in charge fully responsible for the continuation of this enterprise.
The market coverage itself is not only limited to local, but also across region. I have actively engaged with simple digital platform such as WhatsApp application to sell my products. I believe that processing activities can add more value to the products, which eventually increases the income compared to selling only the raw produce. That is why I plan to expand the production towards other potential processing commodities. Based on my experience, becoming an agripreneur, is more enjoyable and gives more income opportunities. I have more time to develop my business compared to doing manufacturing labor job, the typical job preferred by most of rural youth. I don’t want to end up like other youth who chose to be manufacturing labor worker and has to spend the whole time in the factory.
The awareness of enhancing rural youth capacity and supporting environment, technology facilitation, skills, financial supports need to be increased. Moreover, partnership subsequently need to be developed. I, together with other producers, joined Wahana Masyarakat Tani dan Nelayan Indonesia (WAMTI) – Indonesian farmers and Fisherfolks’ voice since 2012 to do a collective marketing that is supported by the organization to another market regions. I believe that as long as we have integrity, hard work, are innovative and brave towards new ideas, there will be opportunities and reasons for youth to stay in the rural area–a place for young agripreneur to contribute in the form of rural products and agriculture regeneration.
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