By: Wilson MA Therik

SALAM (canopy) in the Daily Pos Kupang, June 30, 2009 back to uncover who have chronic illnesses (su old in the body), namely NTT small farmers who have suffered low commodity prices, pengijon and loan-sharking and debt collectors rampant, and not there is a 'feel guilty'. All was quiet.

Leading commodities that dream become a mainstay and hope of the farmer when it was first floated, diproyekkan, tendered, dipidatokan, diupacarakan, in-'campaign for', after fruiting, producing bitter fruit.

Development of commodity / mainstay, already a national strategy / regional expected to be the main driver (prime mover) for economic growth in developing countries, agriculture-based. In general, these countries do not just develop a commodity based solely on habit or feeling or just follow along, but generally use the industry cluster approach, which is a comprehensive study / cross sector / holistic, with the pattern of development and sustainable development. In industrial clusters, the entire process starting from seed, planting, harvesting, though, selling as well as barriers and opportunities encountered throughout the trip, designed in a 'commodity groups' so that all relevant sectors, all physical and non physical aspects have been identified, analyzed and prepared in a scenario of upstream (up stream) to downstream (down stream) even up to the consumer level.

A simple example: Malaysia to develop commodity cocoa, pineapple, oil palm, etc., does not begin with a slogan or jargon such as "Let the Malaysian Cocoa, or return the fragrant Pineapple Malaysia". No.

They start with: 1) studies of commodity clusters, 2) mandirikan institution builder and developer to the district level, namely by establishing offices / agencies, among others, 'pineappel authority, authority coco, palm oil authority', 3) based on clusters of commodity and market dynamics Globally, the government pro-actively creating a business climate and competitiveness in a professional manner through the operation / intervention of fiscal and non fiscal, and other facilities, to ensure that commodities can compete in the market.

A simple example, the last days of Indonesian palm oil products difficult to penetrate the Pakistan market, because of competition from Malaysia, the Malaysian Government through the lobby succeeded in obtaining export tax 0%, while palm oil products we get taxed 6%. Similarly, fish products, textiles and even shrimp, which through intervention, the government and certain Asian countries, tax exemption of import duty and obviously compete in European and American markets.

Commodity Development

Indonesia, particularly NTT, also has moved in the same direction, namely to develop commodity / specific pledge, which is expected to be a prime mover for the increase in income or employment, and others. Only difference is that we begin not with the 'study' and not accompanied by a scenario 'coaching / development / monitoring of sustainability', but we begin with the speeches, campaigns, slogans, jargon, and others end with 'projects'. The project ends.

Segarkah still in our memory when in the early 80's, our commodity fever 'lamtorogung' good for greening, fodder, even for alternative energy? When pests lamtorogung come, I'm finished. Similarly, apple, apple pests arrive, complete.

Also these last days, our bodies are still warm with fever commodity jatropha (Jatropha curcas), then he said cassava (aldira?), And corn with the theme "Make Corn NTT as a Province," and cattle with the theme "Restore NTT as cattle barn ", then, sandalwood with a sexy theme" Restore the smell of sandalwood ", and accompanied with a spirit of cooperation made the NTT Province, and goodness knows what else the populist themes that will be rolled out.

Faced with global competition 'cruel', we can not possibly give it to a simple small farmer. We need an innovative professional apparatus (re-inventing government) that for the case of NTT supported by the existing universities, NGOs or professionals (outsourching) to redesign commodity NTT, among others, by 'industry cluster approach'. Began the study with the industry cluster approach to a particular commodity, which we use as 'commodity' is an urgent need.

In the course of time, marketing constraints both fiscal and non fiscal is the duty of the state / government to intervene in tariff and non tariff barriers and other obstacles, assisted by the business concerned.

It was not news anymore that the influence of globalization and economic liberalization, the fate of almost all commodity like 'determined' by 'Mob commodity' or 'bilateral agreements' or 'commodity associations'. Example: even though Indonesia is the largest nutmeg producer in the world, but the association is determined by the country Ghana nutmeg, cocoa / chocolate in the Netherlands, cashew nuts in India. Do not be surprised we are planting cashew nuts in Flores, but the world market price for cashew nuts in quotes dictated and governed by India.

Populist image

If to the needs of tourism promotion, is the 'image' is very necessary area highlighted. Example: "Kupang Green and Clean", and so on. But for other economic development and in particular commodity, forget the image at the beginning of the journey. Do not imitate this mature teen jargon: 'let the poor origin arrogant'.

What is important is not the NTT 'warehouse' cattle, but whether NTT will increase farmer incomes? Is it the experience of NTT since the first? Not the first, the rich are 'merchants animals?' What matters is whether the cattle and the people of NTT will surely prosper, and how the strategy.

What's the point 'smell of sandalwood' that so far only merchants and rich sandalwood industry, while farmers on the edge of sandalwood trees misery? What's the point 'smell of sandalwood' if hungry? All it takes is the study and analysis and design of commodity programs sandalwood, which ultimately benefit the people. Problem 'smell' on its own following.

What is the point 'jatropha' if 'not clear' who benefits (Who is the benneficiary), processors, traders, or farmers? If the farmer a profit, what's in it? If you've discovered how thankfully farmers per hectare, let us compare with the income per hectare for other commodities, which are more profitable? It is developed. Let no 'compulsion' for certain commodities.

What's the point 'Cooperative State' when we know that cooperation is good for improving the welfare of members, but not that easy if we display the cooperative as a business unit of professionals who are able to pursue 'profit' high and 'compete' with its peers. Not that easy. Credit cooperatives in NTT fever again, most capitalists operate. Cooperatives are merely fulfilling administrative requirements, but anyone, anytime, in need of credit (high interest) and unbeknownst to him, he 'automatically' become cooperative members (without a membership card, without the need to attend Rua). Credit is paid off, his membership automatically stopped. Cooperatives only 'tool' and not 'objective', (which is important coffee, not the cup).

The series of questions rather than conditions to be discussed from the political side, or just plain discussion discourse, but it needs to be understood and answered in the technical-professional and detail. If we talk about commodities 'bamboo', bring bamboo expert, if corn, corn expert, if necessary, any office (authority) of bamboo, corn and district authorities / districts, which it works, yes it is, the commodity, focus!

My advice, my proposal is simple. First, prepare a master plan for each commodity (industry clusters) by including the relevant departments / research and development centers, universities, and even guest speakers or experts from abroad, or study visits abroad.

Second, prepare the commodity development agency, a special office for each commodity, from provincial to the district level are equipped with commodity specialists and staff across sectors.

Third, because these activities require a large budget, then 'sell' the program on the central government, even to the internal institutions, donor countries and others, as part of the 'Marshall Plan for the NTT' in the fight against poverty, declared war on poverty . Who's afraid?

Fourth, the edges are the benefits for an increase in household incomes and the expansion of employment in NTT (enough already suffering Nirmala Bonat and Modesta in Malaysia).

Fifth, the development is 'change'. Change or die, transformed or altered.

Ending this article, I realized that we had long suffered illness 'fever commodity' and 'fever-image'. This paper does not intend poked anyone even far from the minds of 'patronizing'. This article is part of a commodity owned by farmers and the poor in NTT. Namely 'tear'. Accompanied by tears that melted prayer 'unanswered'. Until when? Sampe ... when? Sampe nevertheless ... ..

Wilson MA is a Doctoral Candidate Therik SWCU Salatiga Development Studies, Researcher PSKTI-UKSW and Members Forum Academia NTT.
This article has been published in Pos Kupang on Friday, 17 July 2009