Opportunities and Challenges in Agriculture amidst the New Normal

Opportunities and Challenges in Agriculture amidst the New Normal

The year of 2020 was welcome by the emergence of a new virus that caught the world by surprise, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spread of the virus that started in Wuhan, China, resulted in a new disease called Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This disease surprised every corner of the world, including developed and developing countries. Almost all countries across different continents have now suffered through this public health crisis. At the end of May, this pandemic has spread to South America, creating havoc in Brazil.

In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo claimed that COVID-19 cases began with a report of a Japanese citizen who had just visited Indonesia tested positive with the disease. The Indonesian government readily conducted contact-tracing associated with this patient. This led to the first 2 COVID-19 patients in Indonesia. In Bali, the first patient was reported on March 10, 2020, according to the statement from Bali Governor, I Wayan Koster. Since the finding of the first case in Bali, according to the press release reported by CNNIndonesia.com, Gov. Koster coordinated his staff and collaborated with various sectors to deal with and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the mobility of the people by the issuance of Surat Edaran Gubernur Bali No. 7194 Tahun 2020 about the mitigation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on March 16.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not only become a public health crisis, but it also affects other sectors, including agriculture. In developed countries where people usually get their groceries from modern supermarkets with all-year food supply, retailers struggled with increasing demands and unequal supply from the producers in late March, resulting in varieties of supply to be out of stock for consumers. At the same time, cow farmers were also heavily affected due to the closing of restaurants and cafes with indefinite time, reducing demands from the food and beverage sector up to 70%. Vegetable and fruit farmers were also in fear of their perishable products to rot. The stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has impacted farmers indirectly not only in developed countries. In Desa Kedung rejo, Pakis, Malang, farmers had to distribute their products freely to avoid the vegetables from rotting.

Because the pandemic affects almost all countries in the world, exports and imports of different agricultural commodities also face problems. Imported agricultural produce such as garlic, sugar, and beef could face scarcity issue. The market for exported agricultural commodities such as palm oil, rubber, cocoa, and coffee was also affected. The export-import issue will lead to disturbed distribution of agricultural production inputs and facilities and plant cultivation.

It will be a big question whether Indonesia will issue a policy that moves towards reducing domestic dependence on imports of agricultural commodities as a step to increase domestic capacity to respond to future crises. Many definitely hope that the production of agricultural products is localized in the country. One sector that is expected to improve post-COVID-19 is inter-regional trade, which can result in shorter food chains. This will also lead to increased markets for farmers and to improved access to inputs (seeds, fertilizers) and outputs (food products).

Behind the abovementioned problems, it seems that there remains a glimmer of hope and opportunity for Indonesian agribusinesses. The emergence of this new virus motivate society to focus on improving their immune system that can be done at home. Additionally, the culture of healthy living also inspires people to return to herbal plants. Thus, this pandemic might open up opportunities for increasing demands for new agricultural commodities such as red ginger, citrus peel, curcuma, and turmeric.

The COVID-19 crisis brought such a big wave for the world and with this big wave, the shore will need to change. This pandemic did not only force the government to act quickly and make every effort to reduce the spread of the disease, but it also challenged the whole society, including agricultural education, teaching and learning process, and lectures, to adapt readily and stay afloat during this difficult situation.

This public health crisis needs to be responded positively and wisely, and in fact it has opened opportunities for mutual cooperation in the community, including FP UNUD, to achieve common goals. Coordinated policies are needed to support the sustainability of the agricultural sector in Indonesia and the working conditions of millions of farmers and related workers. Following the Darwinian theory–successful organisms are those that are the most adaptive, FP UNUD continues to strive to be an adaptive organism. FP UNUD is determined to be ready to carry out the “new normal” going forward. We believe that there are always opportunities for those who can take advantage of them, including agriculture and agricultural education. Moreover, it is not impossible that in the future, the agriculture sector will become the most promising and emerging sector after COVID-19, because this pandemic has increased public awareness about the importance of food security for now and in the future.