The First Graduate of Farmer School

Farmer School Program, a joint program between General Sudirman Center (JSC) and the Study Center for People’s Economics of Gadjah Mada University has ended. Yohanes Dian Alpasa, the representative of  Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta  is one of the graduates. The graduation ceremony was held at the office of JSC, Stupa Donolayan, Tentara Pelajar Street, km 12, Ngaglik, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The day of graduation was chosen coinciding with Indonesian Heroes Day. It was attended by the Vice Regent of Sleman, Chief of PUSTEK UGM, Director of JSC, and the surrounding communities. The graduates were motivated to be confident as farmers. Farmers should not be pessimistic but optimistic instead, because farmer independence is like a dream that should be made into reality.

Dr. Revrisond Baswir, fondly called Bang Sony gave much encouragement for the farmer to get their independence. The struggle for independence was an endless effort and not an instant one.  All of us can see that this nation was occupied for hundreds of years in the colonialism era. However, unluckily, now we do not only celebrate independence-day but also 68 years of neo-colonialism. Independence seemed to be a process of colonialism transfer, from Japan to Netherlands, then finally to the United States of America. It is the real fact, so farmers should be aware of it and keep struggle against the new form of colonialism with the same spirit like the spirit to gain our national independence.

The Director of JSC, Ir. Bugiakso emphasized what he often said about natural resources. Our natural resources are national assets as well as water that is vital for farmers. Perhaps we have not got any possibility to manage coal and gold by ourselves, but we have to manage other resources by ourselves. At least we can manage water. However, water in some areas is controlled by foreign companies. Farmers should be independent and not rely on foreign aid. In this case, Mr. Bugi quoted J.F. Kennedy statement, “Don’t ask what the country give you, but ask what you have done for your country! Farmers should be independent!”

Vice Regent of Sleman, Hj. Yuni Satia Rahayu expressed her support to farmers. Farmers should be independent. Every government program was intended for people's welfare. Sometimes, the programs were not effective and missed-target. Farmers’ independence was a smart effort to develop national endurance.

Farmers School Graduates are expected to give impact to their surrounding communities. The knowledge they learned from May 2 to September 24, 2013 should be applied. The graduation is not the end but the beginning of a new struggle. Good luck the graduates! (YDA)