Prospects of Organic Agriculture in the world

Entering the 21st century, the world community began to realize the danger posed by the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture. People getting wise in choosing food that is safe for health and environmentally friendly. Healthy lifestyle with the slogan Back to Nature has become a new trend to leave the old life patterns that use non-natural chemicals, such as fertilizers, chemical pesticides and synthetic growth hormones in agricultural production. A healthy and nutritious food high can be produced with the new method, known as organic farming.

Organic agriculture is a cultivation technique that relies on natural ingredients without the use of synthetic chemicals. The main purpose of organic agriculture is to provide agricultural products, especially food which is safe for the health of producers and consumers and does not damage the environment. Thus a healthy lifestyle has been institutionalized internationally, which requires the assurance that agricultural products should be safe to eat beratribut (food safety attributes), high nutrient content (nutritional attributes) and environmentally friendly (eco-labeling attributes). Consumer preferences such as these cause the world demand for organic agricultural products increased rapidly.

Indonesia has a wealth of unique tropical bio-resources, abundance of sunlight, water and land, and culture that respects nature, organic farming potential is huge. World market of organic agricultural products increased 20% per year, therefore the development of organic agriculture need to be prioritized in high economic-value crops to meet domestic and export markets.

Opportunity Organic Farming in Indonesia

Land area available for organic farming in Indonesia is very big. Of the 75.5 million ha of land that can be used for agriculture, only about 25.7 million ha have been cultivated for rice fields and plantations (CBS, 2000). Organic farming requires that land use is not or has not been polluted by chemicals and have good accessibility. The quality and extent of a consideration in the selection of land. Land that has not polluted the land that has not been attempted, but generally given less fertile land. Generally fertile land has been cultivated intensively with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Land use conversion such as this require a long period, which is about 2 years.

Volume of organic agricultural products to reach 5-7% of total agricultural products traded in international markets. Largely supplied by developed countries such as Australia, America and Europe. In Asia, the market for organic agricultural products more dominated by the far eastern countries like Japan, Taiwan and Korea.

Market potential for organic farming products in the country is very small, confined to the upper class society. Various obstacles encountered include: 1) there is no adequate price incentives for producers of organic agricultural products, 2) need expensive investments in early development because they have to choose land that is actually sterile from agrochemical materials, 3) there is no certainty the market, so that farmers are reluctant to produce commodities.

Planting areas of organic farming, Australia and Oceania has the largest land which is about 7.7 million ha. Europe, Latin America and North America amounted to approximately 4.2 million, 3.7 million and 1.3 million hectares. Planting areas of organic agricultural commodities in Asia and Africa are still relatively low at around 0.09 million and 0.06 million hectares (Table 1). Vegetables, coffee and tea dominate the international market of organic agricultural products in addition to farm products.

Table 1. Organic farming planting areas of each region in the world, 2002

No. Area Planted area (million ha)

Australia and Oceania 7.70
Europe 4.20
Latin America 3.70
North America 1.30
0.09 Asia
Africa 0.06

Source: IFOAM, 2002; PC-TAS, 2002.

Indonesia has huge potential to compete in international markets, although gradually. This is because the various comparative advantages include: 1) is still a lot of land resources which can be opened to develop organic farming systems, 2) technology to support organic farming is enough available such as making compost, planting without soil, pesticides and other biological.

Further development of organic agriculture in Indonesia should aim to meet global market demand. Therefore exotic commodities such as vegetables and coffee and tea plantations that have export potential is bright enough to be developed. Coffee products, for example, Indonesia is the second largest exporter after Brazil, but in the international market of Indonesian coffee has no trademark.

Development of organic farming in Indonesia did not yet require a new institutional structure, because this system is almost the same as intensive agriculture such as this. Farmer institutions such as farmer groups, cooperatives, associations or corporations are still very relevant. However, the most important agricultural institutions must be able to strengthen the bargaining position of farmers.

Modern Organic Agriculture

In recent years, modern organic farming into the agricultural system Indonesia sporadic and small. Developing modern organic farming produces food that is safe for health and environment-friendly production systems. But in general the concept of modern organic farming has not been known and still widely questioned. The emphasis is more to the left while the use of synthetic pesticides. With the growing knowledge and technology, health, environment, microbiology, chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry and others, organic farming continues to grow.

In modern organic farming systems required quality standards and is enforced by importing countries with very strict. Frequently one of organic agricultural products must be returned to the exporting countries including Indonesia because they still found the content of pesticide residues and other chemicals.

The number of products that claim to be organic agricultural products that are not certified to make doubt on the part of consumers. Certification of organic agricultural products can be divided into two criteria, namely:

a) Local Certification for the domestic market share. Agricultural activities is still tolerate the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers in a minimal amount or Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA), but have very limited use of synthetic pesticides. Pest control by using the biopesticide, tolerant varieties, as well as biological agents. The team to formulate a national certification has been established by the Ministry of Agriculture with the involvement of universities and other parties concerned.

b) International certification for export shares and certain circles in the country, such as the certification issued by or Skål or IFOAM. Some of the requirements that must be met, including the conversion of land, storage of organic products, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides as well as processing results must meet certain requirements as organic agricultural products.

Several prospective commodity that can be developed with organic farming systems in Indonesia, among other food crops, horticulture, plantation, spices and medicinal plants, and livestock, (Table 2). Facing the era of free trade in 2010 is expected to organic farming Indonesia have been able to export its products to international markets.

Table 2. Commodities are feasible to be developed with organic farming systems

No. Commodity Category

Food Crops Rice
Horticulture Vegetables: broccoli, red cabbage, chinese cabbage, caisin, white cho, cabbage sprouts, spinach leaves, pumpkin siyam, Oyong and baligo. Fruit: jackfruit, durian, salak, mangoes, oranges and mangosteen.
Coconut Plantation, nutmeg, cashew nuts, cloves, pepper, vanilla and coffee.
Ginger Spice and medicine, turmeric, ginger, and meet other's findings.
Livestock Milk, eggs and meat

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROBLEMS FACED WORLD

Excessive agricultural intensification has turned out to have environmental impacts that are less profitable. For example in coffee plants, intensification aimed to maximize production by applying a high input technology and without the use of shade plants have a negative impact on the form, among others Lowering soil fertility (chemical, physical, biological), increased parasitism (loss of natural enemies and cause penggangu body resistance to pesticides, environmental pollution (NO3, nitrate in water, pesticide residues in water and soil) and loss of biodiversity (Vaast, 2000).
Intensive farming systems are often called conventional agriculture that are considered less sympathetic to the preservation of the environment. Therefore, many experts are starting to think the need to find an alternative farming system that is considered more oriented to the preservation of the environment and do not harm human health. The term is often used in alternative farming system is organic farming. Matching is commonly used for organic farming is a low input agriculture, ecological agriculture, biological agriculture, biodinamika agriculture, natural farming and permaculture.

Lately more and more organic farming movement echoed in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia. But in its development, Indonesia is still facing various obstacles.

Constraints of Organic Agriculture Development in Indonesia
The development of organic farming in Indonesia is still very slow. However, interest in organic farming systems lately have started to grow. This is expected to positively impact the development of organic agriculture are the times to come. The obstacles encountered in the development of organic farming include:

A. Macro Constraints
Constraints in the development of organic agriculture among other macro market opportunities, research and development, and climate conditions.

Since the last two decades the world market demand of organic agricultural products began to grow. The growth of this market, particularly in Europe, is one of the main considerations in the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 (EEC, 1991). But the growth in organic agricultural products market until 2000 is still slow, so the market segment is still a niche market. Consumers of organic products is still limited to people who have a high concern on the environmental and health. Concern is encouraging they are willing to provide a premium price of organic products.

Domestic product of the agricultural market is still growing. Sometimes in the Supermarket for sale by certain agricultural products with a marked organic, not organic from authorized agencies. This phenomenon is interesting for organic development in the future, however the limitations of the domestic market will remain a major constraint in the short and medium term.

In addition to market constraints, research and development programs that support to the development of organic farming systems in Indonesia in other commodities is still not much done, so the development of agribusiness in the organic sector is still limited. Based on the commodity coffee experience mentioned above, research support is needed for the development of agribusiness in the organic sector can be successful. Therefore, research and development activities need to be more intensive agriculture, because agricultural systems tend to be specific locations and specific commodities.

Another obstacle is that Indonesia has the wet tropical climate, even in some places have no or very few dry periods. Such climatic conditions favorable for the bodies penganggu, especially fungi. The intensity of the attacks remains high penggangu will be more difficult in practice orgnaik agricultural application.

B. Micro Constraints
Micro constraints referred to in this paper is the obstacles that were found at the farm level, especially small farmers. Some macro constraints will be outlined as follows.

Interests of producers, the agricultural business in Indonesia has not much to Bethany beminat organic. Reluctance was mainly still unclear organic agricultural products market, including premium prices obtained.

Business interest for organic agricultural farming practice this would increase if the domestic market can be grown. Therefore, efforts to promote the advantages of organic agricultural products to consumers change intensified.

Lack of understanding, understanding of the farmers towards organic farming systems is still lacking. Organic agriculture is often understood the extent of agricultural practices that do not use inorganic fertilizer and pesticides.

The notion of organic farming systems the right needs to be disseminated to the public. The definition includes philosophy, purpose, application, trade, and others. As a reference for the dissemination of understanding of organic agriculture should use the basic standard formulated by IFOAM.

Organization at the farmer level, the Organization of the farmers is an important key in organic agricultural cultivation. This is related to the problem of education and certification. Agribusiness organic products at the level of small farmers would be difficult diwujudknan tanp support farmers' organizations.

In some areas, farmers' organizations is well established, but preferably in other areas of agricultural organization is still difficult to realize. Government encouragement for farmers to form associations as was the case lately, especially in the plantation sector, it will have a positive impact on agribusiness development of organic products.

The partnership of farmers and entrepreneurs, efforts to form partnerships between farmers and businessmen who had done some time ago that still has not yielded as expected by farmers. Partnerships between farmers and entrepreneurs is one key to success in pengembanga organic agricultural products, particularly when directed to export.

The pattern of partnership is often called a pattern foster father. In this case the entrepreneur as the father, among others, are obliged to market the products of farmer groups, to facilitate extension activities, care certification, and distributed saprodi. If the condition is possible, the function of the entrepreneur as a foster father can be replaced by a cooperative owned by farmers themselves (Surip Mawardi. Researchers at the Center for Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research).

organic fertilizer

compost?
Compost or humus is the remains of living things which have undergone weathering, its form has changed, such as land and odorless. Compost has a complete NPK nutrient content, although a small percentage. Compost also contains other compounds that are beneficial to plants.

2. benefits of compost?
Compost is like a multivitamin for the soil and plants. Compost to improve soil physical and chemical properties. The compost will restore soil fertility. Hard soil will become more loose. Poor soil will become fertile. Acid soils would be more neutral. Plants that were growing more fertile compost and crop quality is better than plants without compost.

3. which can be composted?
In principle all the ingredients that come from living creatures or organic materials can be composted. Litter, leaves, grass clipping, twigs, and wood waste can be composted. Manure, animals, even human waste could be composted. Composting of livestock manure, better known as manure. Food scraps and dead animals can also be composted. There is a material that is easily composted, there is a rather simple ingredients, and there is a difficult composted. Most easily composted organic material.Materials are rather easy, aka a bit difficult composted include: hard wood, stems, and bamboo. Materials include composted hard wood very hard, bones, hair, horns, and fur.

4. should be composted first?
Plants can not absorb nutrients from organic materials that are still raw, whatever the shape and origin. Are still fresh manure can not be absorbed by plants haranya. Moreover, crop residues are still in good shape also can not be absorbed by plants haranya. Compost is 'half done' is also not good for plants. Organic matter should be composted to 'mature' haranya to be absorbed by plants. The principle is that plants absorb nutrients from the soil, therefore, should be returned to the ground and given to the ground again.

5. how to make compost quickly, easily, and cheaply?
Making compost is easy. Naturally organic material into compost will experience weathering, but the long time between half to one year depending on the material and condition. In order for the composting process can take place more quickly need additional treatment.
Composting is accelerated by adding activator or compost inoculum or starter. This activator is a micro-organism (microbe), which works to accelerate weathering of organic matter into compost. Organic materials are soft and small enough can be composted without having to do enumeration. But a large organic material and hard, should be chopped first. Activators compost must be mixed evenly throughout the organic material for composting process lasted better and faster.
The material will be composted should also contain enough water.This water is needed for the life of microorganisms in the compost activator. The material is more difficult to dry composting.However, too much water content will also inhibit the composting process. So wet should be enough. Materials must also contain enough air. Just as water, air required for the life of microorganisms compost activator.
To protect the compost from the outside environment is bad, the compost needs to be closed. The closure is intended to protect materials or micro-organisms from the rain, sunshine, evaporation, and temperature changes.
Material left in place for some time to mature compost. The length of time it takes between 2 weeks to 6 weeks depending on the materials composted. Soft materials that can be composted in a short time, 2-3 weeks. Hard materials that takes between 4-6 weeks. Characteristic of mature compost is its shape has changed to be more soft, blackish brown color, no odor, and easy to destroy / crumb.

6. how to use compost?
Compost that has been cooked can be directly used for crops.There is no limit how many doses of compost materials given to the plants. In general, more compost gives better results. But if the compost will be used for breeding or for plants in pots / poly bag, the compost should be mixed soil with a ratio of one part compost: three parts soil.
Compost can be given as the only source of additional nutrients, or better known as organic farming. Compost should be given in sufficient quantities, so that plants can grow better. Compost can also be given together with artificial chemical fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers can be reduced partially and replaced with the addition of compost.
Compost can be given to plant anything, ranging from farm crops, horticulture, plantations, ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and forestry. For example, for plants: paddy rice, upland rice, maize, cassava, beans, cabbage, potatoes, rubber, coffee, oil palm, cocoa, sugar cane, Aglonema, waves of love, mango, acacia, and others.

agriculture in the world

Agriculture is the activity of the use of biological resources byhumans to provide food, industrial raw materials, or energy sources, as well as to manage the environment. Activitiesutilization of biological resources in agriculture, including thosecommonly understood as cultivation of crops or grow crops(English: crop cultivation) and livestock rearing (raising), althoughits scope may also be the use of microorganisms and bioenzim in the processing of advanced products, such as cheese making andtempeh, or just mere extraction, such as fishing or forestexploitation.
The biggest part of the world's population earns a meager living inareas in the sphere of agriculture, but agriculture contributes only4% of world GDP. History of Indonesia since the colonial era to the present are inseparable from agriculture and plantation sector companies, as - sector has particular significance in determining the formation of various economic and social realities in variousparts of Indonesia. According to the BPS in 2002, Indonesia'sagriculture sector provides employment for about 44.3% althoughthe population only accounts for about 17.3% of total gross domestic income.
Group examines agricultural sciences agricultural sciences with the support of his supporters. The core of the agricultural sciencesare biology and economics. Since agriculture is always bound byspace and time, supporting sciences, such as soil science,meteorology, agricultural engineering, biochemistry, and statistics,are also studied in agriculture. Farming (farming) is a core part ofagriculture because it involves a set of activities performed incultivation. Farmers is the designation for those who carry outagricultural activities, for example "tobacco farmers" or "fishfarmer". Actors livestock farming (livestock) specifically referred toas the breeders.