By: Devane Sharma
The Story of Andi Reza: From Skeptic to Advocate | Innovating Tradition | Hope for the Future | Why the Youth Matter in Farming
The face of farming is changing. With an aging generation of farmers and fewer young people entering the agricultural industry, the future of sustainable farming hangs in the balance. For Musim Mas, empowering the next generation of farmers isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity.
Since launching the Independent Smallholders (ISH) Program in 2015, Musim Mas has been at the forefront of supporting smallholder farmers. The program has grown into Indonesia’s largest independent smallholder training initiative, offering modules on sustainable practices, financial literacy, and access to technology. Recognizing the challenges in attracting youth to agriculture—such as limited training opportunities and the perception of farming as outdated—the company has created tailored initiatives like drone technology workshops, youth scholarships, and career-building programs in collaboration with vocational schools. By fostering technological innovation and providing alternative livelihood opportunities, Musim Mas aims to make farming a viable and appealing career for young people.
The Story of Andi Reza: From Skeptic to Advocate
When Andi Reza returned to his hometown in Rokan Hilir, North Sumatra, in 2019 after university, it wasn’t with dreams of becoming a farmer. Armed with a degree in Agricultural Technology from IPB University, he had envisioned a different career path. But the sudden passing of his father left him with a legacy he couldn’t ignore: the family’s oil palm plantation.
“At first, I didn’t care much about oil palm farming,” Andi admitted. “What I read about the industry was mostly negative—deforestation and habitat destruction. But as I delved deeper, I realized the problem wasn’t the oil palm itself but the way it was managed. Done right, oil palm can be grown as sustainably as any other crop. I saw that it can benefit society and the environment as the highest-yielding edible oil crop.”
Taking over the plantation was a turning point for Andi. He didn’t just inherit a business—he inherited an opportunity to make a difference.
Innovating Tradition
One of Andi’s first steps was to bring innovation to his family’s plantation. “I started implementing good agricultural practices, like monthly digital recording of Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) yields and following fertilization advice from agronomists,” he said. These practices not only improved efficiency but also reflected his commitment to sustainability.
The palm oil industry as a whole has been slow to adopt newer technologies. Digitization can help farmers improve the way they monitor and maintain their plots, while the use of drones could revolutionize the way palm oil plantations are managed. Its applications can potentially include:
Land Mapping
Drones can effectively map out larger plots of land and count the number of palms or overall farm management.
Verifying Land Clearing
In the event that a plot of land has been cleared, specialized drones can help in identifying if the causes are natural or man-made.
Analyzing the Condition of the Palms
Farmers pay close attention to the condition of their palms. A change in the color of the palm fronds, for example, might suggest nutritional deficiencies, which could lead to lower yields of fresh fruit bunches. Drones can efficiently identify such issues.
Verifying Deforestation-Free Claims
The use of drones over time can be used to verify deforestation-free claims by providing photographic evidence of designated farm plots against forest plots.
Beyond making it easier for smallholders to do their jobs, technology can contribute towards improving their yields and, therefore, their livelihoods. Yields from independent smallholder farms tend to be significantly lower than industrial plantations. While there are a variety of factors for this, the use of technology could contribute towards bettering their yields. Younger farmers such as Andi tend to be more open to exploring the use of such technology.
Through training provided by Musim Mas, Andi learned about pest and disease control, sustainable certification, and financial management. “Not every smallholder gets access to this kind of training. I consider myself lucky. These skills have made a real difference in how I approach farming.”
Andi also incorporates modern tools like electric threshing machines and digital platforms for data management, and he dreams of integrating drone technology to monitor pest and disease outbreaks.
Hope for the Future
When asked about his hopes for the industry, Andi’s vision is clear. “We need to educate people about sustainable oil palm to counter the negative narratives. The government should also position palm oil as a key commodity and create policies that support smallholders.”
For Andi, farming is more than a livelihood; it’s a way to contribute to a better future. “I want to prove that oil palm farming can be sustainable and benefit everyone—farmers, society, and the planet.”
Why the Youth Matter in Farming
Musim Mas’s initiatives, like the ones Andi has benefited from, are part of a broader mission to engage and empower young farmers. By offering scholarships, fostering partnerships with vocational schools, and introducing innovative technologies, the company hopes to address the critical need for a younger, more skilled farming workforce.
“Farming isn’t just about hard work—it’s about innovation, sustainability, and community,” says a representative from Musim Mas’s Independent Smallholder team. “And it’s young people like Andi who will lead the way.”
As Andi’s story shows, the future of farming isn’t just about planting seeds in the ground—it’s about cultivating the idea that agriculture can be a force for good. And with the right support, the next generation of farmers can bring that vision to life.
