Indonesia is an agrarian country having fertile land. A lot of Indonesians work as farmers. However, most of them employ traditional methods of farming even though technology has evolved.

Issues of pests in Indonesia are alleviating productivity on and on. “People are prone to use pesticides. It should be diminished since it will exacerbate the productivity,” elucidated Dr. Tom Pope, Bsc (Hons), M.Sc., a lecturer of Harper Adamas University Shropshire, United Kingdom. He was a speaker of public lecturer of ‘Effective Crop Protection in a World with Fewer Pesticides’ on Wednesday (5/8) at Gedung Pasca Sarjana, Floor 4, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

Dr. Tom inserted that plant diseases ensue because of other pests coming from other areas. Although the pests do not grow fast, they can hamper the plant growth. Thus, farers use pesticides to avoid it. “In fact, pesticides can disrupt the natural control and may not be able to hinder the pets but will make the population of pets. Pesticides will also the quality of plants, reducing nutrient quality of the plants,” he continued.

Before the existence of modern insecticide synthesis, farmers undertook irrigation, biological control, physical control, and cultural control. “Organic insecticide developed in 1993 and resistance issued emerged in 1947 that it was the beginning of diminishing pests by pesticides. In agriculture, we only think about the increasing number of productivities, yet we overlook our environment,” he added.

Dr. Tom told potato community in Dieng, Wonosobo, that potato productivity alleviates each year. “It happens since the soil structure is getting damaged because Dieng people employ excessive chemical fertilizer. As the result, the land quality is getting decrease and it will hamper the plant growth. Dieng people are recommended to repair the soil structure, for instance, by natural planting and irrigation,” he asserted.

Therefore, Dr. Tom contended that the farmers should be educated by providing socialization. The role of government is essential so that traditional agriculture method can be actualized. “Indeed, it will take long time to alter habit and mindset of farmers. They have to be informed that planting is about not only the product but also the ways of planting which saves for environment.

Making the farmers aware is not easy, especially about the use of agricultural technology. According to Dr. Tom, the technology use will be valuable to shift agricultural method employed by Indonesian commonly. “The method should be effective, efficient, and easy. On the other hand, we cannot urge the old farmers to use technology because it may decelerate because they can follow the process,” he affirmed.

Dr.  Tom encouraged Indonesian students to be interested in agriculture since Indonesia is an agrarian country having fertile land. It is distinct from the land in UK. “Hence, Indonesian students should be able to evolve new research method, for example, changing the culture of planting technique.