Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

Although the daily tally of the COVID-19 cases has been reportedly skyrocketing in Indonesia, AMDA Malino Farm in Sulawesi remains strong in producing organic agricultural produce. The farm has entered the second year of growing crops in the face of the novel coronavirus, but the traditionally-grown red rice, on which the farmers have been keenly working for the last few years, has finally started to take off. Seeing the growth in its sales, several new farmers are expected to join the project this year. In this report, we would like to delve into how the funding from our donors has been used to help their farming. 

 

【Rice husk charcoal: the key to cultivating fertile soil】

The absolute essentials for those who practice organic agriculture are naturally-derived farming materials that include fertilizers and insecticides. In the case of the Malino farm, the so-called rice husk charcoal is indispensable for nurturing healthy soil. Aiming to strengthen the crop growth, it is usually fed to the soil at the time of sowing. While most of us living in Japan purchase it at DIY stores, the farmers in Malino make it by themselves using a husk-burning stove. And it is this very apparatus in which the fund has been used. According to Prof. Dr. Dorothea Agnes Rampisela of Hasanuddin University’s agricultural department, the stove needs to be replaced every few years as it gets worn out fairly quickly. Prof. Rampisela, who has supported the project for many years, said the donations from our donors are a must in renewing some of the old units and installing brand-new ones.
 

【Vacuum-packaging for securing rice quality】

Another seemingly-trivial-yet-important gadget that needs to be mentioned is a vacuum-packaging machine for packing the red rice. At the Malino farm, farmers make it a point to distribute the rice in the vacuum pack for preserving its quality and its longer shelf life. This machine, too, has a relatively short product life cycle as it is being used very frequently. Again, it is the funding from our donors that supports the farmers in purchasing such equipment.
 

　

As you see, farming in general needs quite a bit of investment in hardware like these. Sometimes, we do get puzzled by the items and tools listed in the fiscal budget that seem nothing to do with agriculture. But by keeping ourselves closely in touch with the field, we try to clarify what they are and how they are used so that every fund gets used meaningfully.

Japan and Indonesia are geographically far apart, but we are always closely connected at heart. We feel it is our duty to keep things transparent in running our projects, and without this, we would not have gained your support up to now.

Last but not least, thank you very much for keeping us on the right track. Your continued assistance would be very much appreciated.

*Click here for the full version of AMDA Malino Farm 2020 Activity Report.