Works for Archipelago from Jakarta Millennial Farmers

Ahmad Fahrizal, became one of the pride of Jakarta. His work in cultivating Cipedak Avocados has made him well known to the wider community in Indonesia.

I saw more the challenges of agriculture in Jakarta as opportunities

The man who was born in Jakarta, November 5, 1988 has had an interest in agriculture since he was young. He took his high school at the Pertanian Pembangunan Schoolz which is currently SMKN 63 South Jakarta.

He expressed after graduating from school he became one of the freelance agricultural extension workers at Agriculture Ministry who served in Cilincing, North Jakarta in 2007.

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This profession as an extension worker was carried out until 2011 when he was inspired to pursue farming.

"When I became an extension worker, I saw more the challenges of agriculture in Jakarta as opportunities. What's more, it can actually compete in terms of price because of the reduced costs of transportation or the transportation of agricultural products themselves," he stated, Monday (6/19).

When he started as a farmer, the commodities he chose to cultivate were Basil and Mint. Because these two commodities are deemed to have a market in Jakarta. Mainly, from Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants.

"I was a supplier for 18 restaurants at that time. Pretty promising," he explained.

In 2015, he was moved to participate in preserving the Cipedak Avocado variety. This desire is based on the fact that the fruit is a fruit that carries the name of the area in Jakarta.

He is determined to continue cultivating the Cipedak avocado plant as a form of real contribution to Jakarta and that this variety should not become extinct.

"I want to continue what our parents have done before because there are fewer and fewer people who care. Finally, I made a farmer group (Poktan) for Cipedak avocado cultivation," he explained.

Because the Cipedak Avocado has historical value and as a love for Jakarta and wanting to be more focused, he slowly abandoned the cultivation of the fruit.

In 2017, orders for Cipedak Avocado seeds reached thousands of trees. Demand had increased during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019.

"Orders keep increasing from almost all regions in Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua. Current turnover can reach Rp 100 million per month," he admitted.

As a matter of pride, this Cipedak avocado tree has also been planted in the Archipelago Capital City (IKN) area, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan.

"Thank God, it has been planted there and bear fruit. I'm grateful that the results of my cultivation can contribute to reforestation in the IKN and being productive plants that can be enjoyed by the fruit," he continued.

He calls on the young generation in Jakarta not to be afraid of becoming farmers because this profession can also provide promising results. Most importantly, one must have the will, continue to learn, be diligent, and be able to make breakthroughs, especially in terms of marketing by utilizing current technological developments.

*I hope the young generation in Jakarta, don't be small in motivation because even though the land is limited, the market is wide. Second, agriculture is not prestigious but rather prestigious because many public figures ranging from celebrities to retired officials are interested in the agricultural business," he added.

It was a blessing to pursue this field of agriculture in 2021 in Bali to be confirmed as the Millennial Farmer Ambassador/Mainstay Farmer Ambassador for Agriculture Ministry. Then, he was chosen as the Agriculture Ministry's Young Ambassador for Agriculture in 2023.

"I would like to thank the Jakarta KPKP Agency, which has helped a lot. I invite all Jakarta residents to continue working so that they can be Works for the Archipelago," he uterred.

While Jakarta Maritime, Agriculture, and Food Security Agency Head, Suharini Eliawati really appreciated the real contribution made by Ahmad Rizal in the field of agriculture or plantations.

"Hopefully, there will be more and more young generations like Ahmad Fahrizal. We from the KPKP Agency are ready to provide assistance, including for millennials. Jakarta's success for Indonesia," she stressed.

As for the information, Ahmad Fahrizal cultivates Cipedak avocados on Jalan Mohammad Kahfi II, Gg. Bambu Ampel, RT 10/04, Ciganjur Urban Village, Jagakarsa Sub-district, South Jakarta.

On an area of around 1,000 square meters, 1,000 to 3,000 Cipedak avocado seeds can be cultivated each month.