By: Dr. I Nengah Muliarta
Academic of Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Warmadewa University
The millennial generation of farmers has emerged as a new force in the sector, bringing innovation and fresh perspectives needed to face the challenges at hand. The millennial generation of farmers in Bali, which generally consists of individuals born between 1981 and 1996, has different characteristics compared to previous generations of farmers. Most of Bali’s millennial farmers have completed higher formal education compared to previous generations. Many of them have educational backgrounds in agriculture, engineering, economics, or even environmental science. This education provides them with better knowledge of modern agricultural practices, technology, and farm management.
The results of the complete enumeration of the 2023 agricultural census phase I for the Bali region released by the Bali Central Statistics Agency (BPS) show that the number of Individual Agricultural Enterprises (UTP) in Bali has decreased drastically from 515,864 units in 2013 to 369,271 units in 2023. This decline reflects the decreasing interest of the younger generation in continuing their profession as farmers, which is often considered less prestigious and not financially promising.
Urbanization and migration also play an important role in this demographic change. Many young people choose to move to cities or even abroad to seek better job opportunities. Bali, as an international tourism destination, attracts many workers looking for work in the tourism and service sectors, which are often more profitable than the agricultural sector. This has led to a reduction in the workforce in the agricultural sector and an increase in the conversion of agricultural land into residential or commercial areas.
One of the main challenges faced by farmers in Bali is access to capital and financial confidence. Many farmers have difficulty getting financing from financial institutions because they are considered high risk.
In addition, poor financial management is also an obstacle in developing agricultural businesses. Based on BPS Bali data related to the complete enumeration results of the 2023 agricultural census, it was also revealed that the generation of Balinese millennial farmers aged between 19 and 39 years, only covers around 54,908 people or 15.18% of the total farmers in Bali. They often face challenges in accessing technology and innovation that can increase agricultural productivity and efficiency.
The social perception of the farming profession has also changed. In the past, being a farmer was considered a noble and respected job. However, along with the times, this profession has begun to lose its prestige, especially in the eyes of the younger generation. Many of them are more interested in work in the tourism sector or the creative industry which are considered more modern and promising. This has led to reduced farmer regeneration and increased dependence on migrant workers.