FAITH IN INDONESIA

FAITH IN INDONESIA
The shape of the world a generation from now will be influenced far more by how we communicate the values of our society to others than by military or diplomatic superiority. William Fulbright, 1964

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A MILLION MOOS FOR LOMBOK




Coming to a plate near you: T-bone Lombok Duncan Graham

Could Indonesia achieve food self-sufficiency within four years? That’s the government’s goal with Rp 18 trillion (US$1.93 billion) allocated.

Ten per cent of the budget has been earmarked to improve beef production, with Lombok and Sumbawa destined to become the islands of one million cows by 2014. Duncan Graham reports on this slice of the ‘food resilience’ program:

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The cattle counters reckon they’re already halfway there. However there are huge fences to jump if the goal is to be reached, as Mataram University academic Dr Sudirman readily admitted.

“First we have to make sure that all farmers have enough to eat,” he said. “Otherwise they’ll be saying to us: ‘You ask us not to sell our cows so numbers can increase. But do you want us to die because we have no money?’

“There’s a culture of poverty in the province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and we have to change the people’s mindset. That’s going to be a really big job. There are many difficulties.”

Indeed. If all were to be listed this story would spill onto another page, so let’s highlight just a couple - country conservatism and farmer mistrust.

Indonesian rural folk got badly burned during the Soeharto era’s Green Revolution. Then heavy-handed bureaucrats forced farmers to abandon traditional practices, grow new crops and soak these with costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Now the rule of the gun has passed they’re going back to the old ways.

“We’ve learned the lesson,” said rural sociologist Dr Rosiady Sayuti. “Change has to be done carefully and slowly. We think the land can eventually support 1.5 million cattle and hope this will boost farm incomes by 50 per cent.”

Sounds worthy, but the base is low. There are 340,000 farmers in NTB. Their average income is less than Rp 1 million (US $110) a month.

To help the 4.5 million people in Lombok and adjacent Sumbawa adjust to sharing their tiny islands with so many belching bovines the local government sent seven experts to garner tips in New Zealand, a world leader in efficient farming.

The delegation, led by Dr Sayuti, head of the NTB planning board, covered disciplines as diverse as veterinary science, agriculture, politics, administration and law.

Why law? “Because adat (traditional community law) still applies in rural areas and must be considered,” said Professor Galang Asmara, Dean of Mataram University’s Faculty of Law. “For example, adat prevents the sale of animals under two years old and is involved in determining ownership of cattle and responsibilities in husbandry.”

Not all know-how from lush and temperate NZ can be easily transferred to the NTB, a tropical zone with limited rainfall and unusual animal diseases.

In the South Pacific islands there are five million beef cattle and 4.5 million dairy cows - and half a million fewer people than in NTB. Some Indonesians are already working on NZ farms and expect to take Kiwi skills back to their homeland.

Governor Zainul Majdi initiated the million moos plan in 2008. It has a Rp 10 billion (US $1.1 million) budget last year and a Rp 15 billion (US $1.6 million) allocation this year. Most of this money is going on subsidies to farmers. Technical aid is being given by Australia.

Traditionally farmers in Lombok have three to five cows kept in stalls known as kandang. The bureaucrats want farmers to form cooperatives with 40 or 50 animals. Then they’ll be given a lusty young Bali, Brangus or Simmental bull with good genes to boost herd quality.

Artificial insemination using semen from top bulls known to be efficient converters of grass into meat is also being used. Controlled mating is an important factor in improving management.

In Sumbawa, which is three times bigger than Lombok, mini ranches may be organised with the cattle grazing in paddocks. New high-value crops are being planned to feed the cows. Till now they’ve been chomping low-protein native grasses, usually cut and carted by their carers.

To keep crops thriving through the dry months irrigation projects are being considered, tapping underground water reserves. Big dollars will be required. Investors are being wooed.

With high yielding crops and new land opened to the plough the days of buffalo power will be numbered. So tractors will be needed, beyond the financial reach of individuals. Hence the importance of cooperatives where resources and equipment can be shared.

Vets are in short supply – only 150. Unless more can be recruited they’ll be run ragged, confusing snouts with rumps.

The more the delegation talked to The Jakarta Post in the NZ capital Wellington about the issues they’re encountering, the more the adequacy of the Rp 10 billion budget diminished.

Lombok has the exclusive right to export cows to other provinces – a trade first started in 1831. The idea is that NTB can become the nation’s quality livestock bank, helping meet Indonesia’s growing hunger for beef. Last October Lombok held a ‘calf harvest’ to show off its animals and rustle up interest in the ambitious cow-led recovery program.

Inevitably a development slogan has been coined – one cow, one calf, one year. Brain curdling tables and targets, graphs and strategies have been devised to educate the locals.

There’s another disparity: NZ farmers are the country’s elite with political clout. Well-established farms generate huge wealth. But in Indonesia farmers are way down the status ladder. If the NTB plan is to get legs it will need smart young hands-on people to understand the possibilities and convert power-point presentations into wells and pumps, fences and fertile fields.

Governor Zainul used the ‘calf harvest’ to prod another message. Mataram mall cowboys hanging around the city at night hoping to lasso a lovely should be heading back to the land and a halal (allowed) occupation.

But how are they going to keep them down on the farm after they’ve seen Kuta? Indonesians who get their hands dirty scratching for cash don’t score in the social hierarchy. Better keep fingers clean, find a government job with uniform and pension and be respected by neighbors.

“Government policy is to encourage young people to undertake further education and upgrade their knowledge of farming and the new techniques,” said Dr Sayuti. “We have to build awareness that farming is an essential and valuable profession for the nation . It should be a job done with pride and attract respect.

“You can be an optimist or a pessimist. I’m the former.”

(Picture above NZ agriculture is intensive: Muhamad Ansori (left) and Arik Asmedi, both from Blitar, East Java, milk hundreds of cows every day in NZ. )


(First published in The Jakarta Post 23 February 2010)

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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

SCHOLARSHIPS IN MALANG

DARMASISWA SCHOLARSHIP
at University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM)
Academic Year 2010/2011

DARMASISWA is a scholarship program offered to all foreign students from countries which have diplomatic relationship with Indonesia to study Bahasa Indonesia, arts, music and crafts. Participants can choose University of Muhammadiyah Malang, in the online-application form it is written Malang Muhammadiyah Universiity (UMM), in East Java, Indonesia. This program is organized by the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The interest of international students to participate in this program keep increasing year by year. In 2010, we offer to 750 students.
Darmasiswa RI Program is conducted in 2 schemes, i.e :
Regular 1 (One) Year -Darmasiswa RI scholarship ProgramRegular One Year program is a one-year scholarship program offered to foreign students from countries which have diplomatic relationship with Indonesia to study Indonesian language and Art (traditional music, traditional dance, and Indonesian craft) in selected Indonesian Higher Education Institutions.
Regular 6 (Six) Months - Darmasiswa RI scholarship ProgramRegular six-month program is a six-month scholarship program offered to foreign students from countries which have diplomatic relationship with Indonesia to study Indonesian language in selected Indonesian Higher Education Institutions.
--= The Scholarship Covers=--
Monthly allowance will be received by participant is Rp 1.500.000,00 (one million and five hundred thousand rupiah), and will be transferred to the University/college where they study.--= Qualifications of Applicants =--
Not more than 35 years old
Completed secondary education or its equivalent
Copy of academic transcript
In good health as proved by Medical Certificate
Passport size color photograph (5 pieces)
Full-page copy of passport valid for at least 18 months from time of arrival in Indonesia
Able to communicate in English and have a basic knowledge of the field they’re applying for

--= Procedure =--
The applicant should apply through the following procedures:
Contact one of UMM contact persons: to get letter of Acceptance as well as further information
Soeparto, Assistant Rector of International Relations
Cell Phone: +628123368597 email: partoumm@yahoo.com
Eka Rini Saraswati, Head of Bahasa Indonesia Program
Cell Phone: +6281 25229025
Jarum, Head of American and European Division:
Cell Phone: +628123358521 email: jarum_mlg@yahoo.com
Teguh Sri Wiyono, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +62 85646787373 email: teguh_sriwiyono@yahoo.com
Wahyu Taufiq, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +62 81242940765, email: wahyutaufiq@yahoo.com
Puji Soemarsono, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +6285 646 267575 email: poedji47@yahoo.co.id
Contact Indonesian Embassy/Consulate General in the country of residence, to get letter of recommendation by bringing the acceptance letter. In chase you want to apply online please notify the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate General in the country of residence before hand.
Filling out the application based on your chosen program that can be downloaded from http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/download.php, or apply online:
Regular 1 (One) Year -Darmasiswa RI scholarship Program go to: http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/daftar.php
Regular 6 (Six) Months - Darmasiswa RI scholarship Program go to:
http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/daftar3.php

--= Health Insurance=--
The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) will not provide health insurance; therefore the participants are expected to have the International insurance.

--=Procedure for both programs=--

The applicant apply by filling out the application available at the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in the country of residence or download from http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/download.php, or applying online:
Regular 1 (One) Year -Darmasiswa RI scholarship Program go to: http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/daftar.php
Regular 6 (Six) Months - Darmasiswa RI scholarship Program go to:
http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/daftar3.php
2. In case the applicant apply online, he/she should notify the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General.
3. The application form should be submitted together with:
1. copy of academic transcript
2. health certificate
4. passport size color photograph (5 pieces)
5. full-page copy of passport valid for at least 18 months from time of arrival in Indonesia.
6. In spite of online application, the paper documents of applicants will be submitted by the Indonesian Embassy to the Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Department of Foreign Affairs or the Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of National Education (MoNE), addressed to:
1. Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
Jalan Taman Pejambon No. 6 Jakarta
Phone: (62-21) 3813480
2. Head of Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, Secretariat General, Ministry of National Education (MoNE)
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Senayan
Gedung C, Lantai 6
Phone: (021) 572-4707
Email: darmasiswa_kln@yahoo.com
5. The applicants’ documents will be selected every March for program commencing in September of the following year by a team consisting of officials from:
1. Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, MoNE.
2. Directorate General of Higher Education, MoNE
3. Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Department of Foreign Affairs.
4. Host universities and colleges.
5. The results of selection will be communicated to the participants by the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General or through website in April.

--=Schedule=--

Bundle of candidate’s application shall be submitted before the end of February 2010
Selection shall be conducted on the beginning of March 2010
The announcement is on the beginning of April 2010
Confirmation of participants’ agreement is on the beginning of June 2010
The arrival of participants shall be on the beginning of August 2010
Orientation program shall be conducted on the beginning of August 2010
Classes will be conducted from September 2010 until July 2011
For University of Indonesia, class will be conducted on beginning of July 2010
For participants of Regular 6 (six) months program class will be conducted as follows:
1. Period I (August 2010 – January 2011)
2. Period II (February 2011 – July 2011)

--=Why UMM=--
1. UMM has experienced handling International students around the world
2. UMM has international relations office which provides information and professional assistances for International students
3. UMM has three beautiful campuses in beautiful landscape, near to some tourism spots such as Bromo, and some local exotic places like waterfalls, natural rivers etc. click here for details: http://www.lombokmarine.com/malang-city.htm, http://pemkot-malang.go.id/eng/, http://www.malangpedia.com/, http://wisatamalang.com/,
4. Living cost is really affordable. The estimation:
a. Housing: Rp.150.000 – Rp. 250.000 monthly
b. Meal and drink: Rp. 600.000 – Rp. 900.000 monthly
c. Local Transport: one trip Rp. 2.500 – Rp. 3.000
5. UMM offers various activities inside and outside the class.
6. UMM has a number of international students who are ready to help you

--=Useful Links=--
University of Muhammadiyah Malang: http://www.umm.ac.id
International Relations Office, UMM: http://iro.umm.ac.id
Darmasiswa RI Scholarship: http://darmasiswa.diknas.go.id/english/index.php
Malang City: http://www.lombokmarine.com/malang-city.htm,
http://pemkot-malang.go.id/eng/,
http://www.malangpedia.com/,
http://wisatamalang.com/,

--=Contact persons=--

Soeparto, Assistant Rector of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +628123368597 email: partoumm@yahoo.com
Eka Rini Saraswati, Head of Bahasa Indonesia Program
Cell Phone: +6281 25229025
Jarum, Head of American and European Division:
Cell Phone: +628123358521 email: jarum_mlg@yahoo.com
Teguh Sri Wiyono, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +62 85646787373 email: teguh_sriwiyono@yahoo.com
Wahyu Taufiq, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +62 81242940765, email: wahyutaufiq@yahoo.com
Puji Soemarsono, Staff of International Relations Office
Cell Phone: +6285 646 267575 email: poedji47@yahoo.co.id

University of Muhammadiyah Malang, UMM
Jl. Raya Tlogomas 246 Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Phone/Fax: +62341 460435

--=What They Say=--

1. Anwar Artaewee (Thailand), wawa_it@hotmail.com
UMM is very reliable. All the staffs, including administration staff and lecturers are friendly and always ready to help. The people are also capable and helpful. Malang is city of students, more than 20 Thailand students study here. So, living in Malang is the best luck for me. You will not regret it if you choose UMM as a place to study.
2. Hanna Szymanska (Poland), hallynka@gmail.com
Malang, where I study now is perfect place. It is near to some Indonesian popular tourism spots. I have visited Lombok, Bali, Yogyakarta, Bromo mountain, and many other exotic places in Indonesia. Indeed, it is easy and cheap to reach those places.
3. Rakotonirina Seheno Hobiniaina (Madagscar), rakotonirinasehenohobiniaina@yahoo.com
As an international education city, Malang offers an affordable price to live. We can easily get what we want in reasonable price. The living cost here is very cheap. So, studying and living here is excellent.

(Information from UMM.)