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The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia needs smarter farming, not more farmers: Comment
JAKARTA: In the context of rising global food insecurity and climate uncertainty, it may seem counterintuitive to suggest that Indonesia, home to over 280 million people, does not need more farmers. However, this is precisely what the data tells us. The country's food production trajectory, particularly in rice, has significantly improved despite a dramatic decline in the agricultural labour force. In 1980, more than 55 per cent of Indonesia's workforce, approximately 40 million individuals, was employed in agriculture. By 2023, this figure had fallen to approximately 28 per cent, or around 29 million people. Tens of millions have exited the sector, pursuing opportunities in industry and services. Yet during this same period, Indonesia's rice production has not only remained resilient, it has increased substantially. Annual production rose from 30 million tonnes in the early 1980s to over 53 million tonnes in 2023, representing an 82 per cent increase. Rice yields per hectare have also tripled, from approximately 1.8 tonnes in the 1960s to 5.92 tonnes today. Harvested areas have grown by nearly 49 per cent, primarily through intensification strategies such as double cropping and improved irrigation. This trend indicates a structural shift from labour-intensive to input and technology intensive farming systems. Indonesia's agricultural transformation can be attributed to a series of interventions spanning several decades. A key turning point was the Green Revolution, during which high-yielding rice varieties replaced traditional cultivars By the mid-1980s, most rice farmers had adopted these improved varieties. Government initiatives such as the Integrated Cropping Calendar and the 'Rice 400' programme enhanced planting frequency and land utilisation (MDPI, 2022). Between 1975 and 2000, fertiliser use increased ninefold, from 0.6 million to 5.9 million tonnes annually, supported by the government's BIMAS training programme and credit subsidies. Mechanisation followed: Modern rice planters today can seed a hectare in four hours, compared to 25 days using traditional methods, reducing production costs by up to 70 per cent. Infrastructure investments in irrigation, roads and post-harvest systems laid the foundation for further intensification. This combination of high-yield inputs, mechanisation and targeted state intervention has allowed Indonesia's farmers to produce significantly more with less labour. The result is a system capable of feeding the nation, and potentially others. The strongest validation of this shift comes from recent national production records. In 2023, Indonesia produced 53.98 million tonnes of unhusked rice, equivalent to 31.1 million tonnes of milled rice, the highest level in its recorded history. The Agriculture Ministry's 2024 target of 32 million tonnes was exceeded, and the United States Department of Agriculture now estimates that Indonesia will produce 34.6 million tonnes in 2024/25, surpassing Vietnam and Thailand to become South-East Asia's largest rice producer. As of May, national rice reserves held by Perum BULOG reached 3.7 million tonnes, the largest since BULOG's founding in 1967, and exceeding even the peak stockpiles during the 1984 self-sufficient period. Projections suggest Indonesia may not need to import rice until at least 2026. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the construction of emergency warehouses to manage the unexpected surplus. The consequence of these gains is reshaping the regional rice trade. Countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar, longstanding rice exporters to Indonesia, are now searching for alternative markets as Indonesia exits the import demand curve. Indonesia's progress stems from strategic investments rather than from expanding the number of farmers. Initiatives such as Oplah (land optimisation), PAT (pumped irrigation for rainfed fields), cetak sawah (new land conversion) and additional irrigation from the Public Works Ministry are expected to collectively contribute over six million tonnes of additional rice output in 2025. Globally, high-performing food systems are characterised by small agricultural labour shares. The Netherlands, with only two percent of its workforce in agriculture, is the world's second-largest food exporter. South Korea and Japan, both with just three to five percent of their population farming, remain self-sufficient in rice. Indonesia is now moving in that direction. The younger generation of Indonesian farmers is increasingly equipped with drone technology, automated machinery and data-driven decision tools. As long as they have access to capital, seeds, fertiliser and digital infrastructure, each farmer can produce enough to feed many. Indonesia does not need to reverse labour migration from the countryside. Instead, it must continue to invest in technology, infrastructure, agronomic education and value chain integration. The data is unambiguous: Even as the agricultural workforce declined by 70 per cent since 1980, rice output has reached record highs. By focusing on productivity rather than manpower, Indonesia has secured food sovereignty, regional competitiveness and economic resilience. The future of Indonesian agriculture does not rest in expanding its farmer base, rather it rests in making each farmer smarter, more efficient and more empowered. A smaller, technologically sophisticated farming population is not a weakness; it is the hallmark of a modern, sustainable food system. - The Jakarta Post/ANN The writer is a food policy expert and co-founder and advisor of the Indonesia Food Security Review (IFSR). The views expressed here are personal.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Alzheimer's risk can be lowered by doing three things to protect your nose
A new study has warned that picking your nose could increase the risk of micro-organisms entering your body - and that could raise the risk of you developing Alzheimer's disease Scientists have issued a warning that picking your nose could potentially increase the risk of harmful micro-organisms entering your body. And that could heighten your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease. A study published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) suggests that the seemingly harmless act of picking your nose could play a part in triggering what is the most common form of dementia according to World Health Organization (WHO) data. Out of the over 55 million cases of dementia recorded by WHO, Alzheimer's accounts for between 60% and 70%. So why exactly is picking your nose bad for you? The research - conducted by Xian Zhou, Paayal Kumar, Deep J. Bhuyan, Slade O, Jensen, Tara L. Roberts and Gerald W. Münch - explains that our nasal cavity is "lined with cilia and mucus-producing cells that help trap and expel foreign particles, such as dust, allergens, and pathogens." When these particles accumulate, it can result in dried mucus - or snot - which, according to the study, can eventually obstruct breathing, reports Surrey Live. Hence, the urge to pick your nose. The paper, initially published in From Biomarkers to Therapy to Puzzle Out Alzheimer's Disease, suggests that while nose picking might offer temporary relief by improving airflow, it's safer to opt for two other methods. The study warns: "Nose-picking is generally not safe, in and outside of healthcare environments." Instead of picking your nose, scientists recommend simply blowing it as a healthier way to care for it. They also suggest using saline nasal rinses as an alternative to nose picking, which research indicates can be harmful. Research provides evidence about the dangers of nose picking A 2006 study found that people who pick their noses surveyed at an ENT clinic were more likely to have Staphylococcus aureus in their nostrils than those who didn't. This bacteria can cause a wide range of clinical diseases, according to the National Institutes of Health. In another case, a woman with a long history of nose picking and blowing presented at an emergency room with acute delirium and several physical issues, only to return with additional problems. Medical professionals concluded her nose was likely the source of infection. More recently, nose picking has been identified as a risk factor for COVID-19. A study among 404 healthcare workers in the Netherlands found that the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 was approximately four times higher in those who picked their noses compared to those who did not. What could link nose picking to Alzheimer's A study has made a connection between the habit of nose-picking and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers, including Henderson, have discovered that behaviours such as starvation/malnutrition and nose-picking are "positively associated with later-onset Alzheimer's." However, they caution, "However, it is essential to understand a fundamental principle of epidemiological studies: they can only prove association, not causation." The separate study by Xian Zhou and colleagues, with which we began this article, concluded: "we suggest that nose-picking increases the transfer of pathogenic microorganisms from the hand into the nose changing the nasal microbiome from a symbiotic to a pathogenic type, with possible consequences of a chronic low-level brain infection via the olfactory system, subsequent neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease." The early symptoms of Alzheimer's When it comes to Alzheimer's, the NHS outlines that the condition develops gradually over several years, often being mistaken for other issues or simply attributed to ageing. The NHS website states: "Sometimes these symptoms are confused with other conditions and may initially be put down to old age." The NHS categorises Alzheimer's disease into three main stages: early, middle-stage, and late symptoms, with the initial stage presenting signs that should prompt individuals to seek medical advice. Ways to stop picking your nose Experts at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center warn that habitual nose-picking can cause significant damage. "When nose-picking becomes habitual, that's when a problem can begin," explained Bradley Otto, MD, the director of rhinology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "It doesn't take much of a scratch to the surface of your nose to make you bleed pretty significantly. If you have long fingernails or you're a little bit rough, you can scrape that lining and cause scabbing that then may allow bacteria from the nasal skin to collect there."
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hamel Family Wines Redesigned Its Labels, Much To Wisconsin's Sadness
The new label on Hamel Family Wines features a stylized M in the middle, representing their mountain vineyards. JIMMY HAYES for Hamel Family Wines Hamel Family Wines wanted a label that better reflected the ethos of its Sonoma terroir and biodynamic farming practices, but wine lovers in one state mourn the original label's iconic animal image. 'Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our tasting room so we decided to mark the occasion with a new label,' says John Hamel winemaker and son of owners Pamela and George Hamel, Jr. The new label features a stylized 'M' in the middle of Hamel, representing the Mayacamas Mountains, as the estate produces wines from its western hillsides in the Moon Mountain District and Sonoma Valley. This is the new label for Hamel Family Wines. Hamel Family Wines This label started with the 2022 vintage of Estate Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache and the 2020 vintage of Hamel's Bordeaux blends – the Stratum, Isthmus, Nuns Canyon Vineyard and Pamelita wines. 'The new label was a collaborative effort with Mike Hambleton and David Freas from the marketing and design firm Supermoon, and it reflects how our wine growing sensibilities have progressed over the past decade,' Hamel says. 'This label focuses on our high-elevation mountain terroir with the design of the 'M' and how we take a less is more approach with dry-farming and biodynamic and organic practices that are reflected through the minimalism and precision of the design,' Hamel explains. This clearer label represents industry trends. A study on wine labels published by MDPI this year noted that 'It has been found that there is a strong interest in clear and detailed labeling.' 'The wine label is a very powerful tool functioning in two directions: on the one hand, it aims to inform consumers, providing useful information, and, on the other hand, it is a dynamic communicational tool to attract consumers,' this study noted. This is the legacy label for Hamel Family Wines. Hamel Family Wines This previous label, which debuted on the 2010 vintages, featured Hamel Family Wines in cursive and an image of a badger. The badger reflects two things, Hamel says. Badgers are found in their Sonoma vineyards, and Hamel, his father and his grandfather all graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and Bucky badger is not only the school mascot, but Wisconsin is considered the Badger State. 'Wine buyers in Wisconsin got it right away,' Hamel says. 'When I would go into restaurants or meet with distributors, I have about ten minutes to introduce them to our wines, and I would spend five minutes explaining that it was a badger on our label,' Hamel says. 'I would rather explain our winemaking processes than have to explain what a critter on our label is.' But the badger on their legacy label really confused many wine buyers and restaurant owners. 'When I would go into restaurants or meet with distributors, I have about ten minutes to introduce them to our wines, and I would spend five minutes explaining that it was a badger on our label,' Hamel says. 'I would rather explain our winemaking processes than have to explain what a critter on our label is.' 'This would happen in 49 out of 50 states,' Hamel explains. Wisconsin, which is the badger state, not only recognized what the animal on their label was, but some wine buyers are sad to see the label go. 'Only in Wisconsin have I had people ask to have the badger stay on the label,' he says. 'But again, 49 out of 50 states, didn't understand the label.'
The National
23-03-2025
- Science
- The National
Egyptologist questions claims of hidden tunnels and chambers under Giza pyramids
Recent reports circulating on social media about the supposed discovery of a vast hidden network of chambers and tunnels beneath the Great Pyramid of Giza have been categorically denied by Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former minister of antiquities. The archaeologist said the claims were 'completely wrong' and lacking any scientific basis. The viral reports were based on a paper published in October 2022 in the MDPI journal Remote Sensing, in which researchers Filippo Biondi and Corrado Malanga said they used an innovative radar technique to map the interior of the pyramids in unprecedented detail. The authors reported finding an extensive underground complex, including unexplored chambers, passageways, and even a large void connected to the pyramid's known Grand Gallery. However, Dr Hawass dismissed their findings as 'fake news.' 'The claim of using radar inside the pyramid is false, and the techniques employed are neither scientifically approved nor validated,' he said. Mr Biondi and Mr Malanga's methodology relied on analysing ambient vibrations and seismic waves to estimate 'micro-movements' of the pyramid, which they claim enabled high-resolution 3D tomography of the interior, according to their research paper. However, experts including Dr Hawass have called into question whether this approach could realistically penetrate the pyramid's dense stone to the claimed depths of more than 100 metres. The authors propose an unconventional interpretation of the pyramid as a kind of "giant resonance chamber" designed to be filled with water and generate low-frequency vibrations, rather than solely serving as a pharaonic tomb. They suggest that the pyramid's eight-sided shape and interior chambers were designed to channel water and create a vibrational effect for "curative and religious purposes". However, this theory is regarded by sceptics as highly speculative and not supported by archaeological evidence. While the idea of hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid has long fascinated the public imagination, Dr Hawass's team said that decades of rigorous scientific investigations by Egyptian and international experts have yielded no credible evidence for the claimed structures. Previous studies using muon tomography, gravimetry and conventional radar have detected a few small voids but nothing resembling the massive network described by Mr Biondi and Mr Malanga. Despite the lack of scientific substantiation, the researchers' claims rapidly went viral on social media, racking up millions of views and shares. This underscores the need for caution and scepticism when evaluating sensational archaeological 'discoveries' that have not undergone proper scientific vetting and peer review. As Dr Hawass and other Egyptologists have long stressed, unlocking the enduring mysteries of the pyramids requires a patient, evidence-based approach grounded in rigorously tested and validated methods.
The National
23-03-2025
- Science
- The National
Renowned Egyptologist debunks claims of hidden tunnels and chambers under Giza pyramids
Recent reports circulating on social media about the supposed discovery of a vast hidden network of chambers and tunnels beneath the Great Pyramid of Giza have been categorically denied by Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former minister of antiquities. The renowned archaeologist denounced the claims as 'completely wrong' and lacking any scientific basis. The viral reports were based on a paper published in October 2022 in the MDPI journal Remote Sensing, in which researchers Filippo Biondi and Corrado Malanga claimed to have used a novel radar technique to map the interior of the pyramids in unprecedented detail. The authors reported finding an extensive underground complex, including previously unknown chambers, passageways, and even a large void connected to the pyramid's known Grand Gallery. However, Dr Hawass dismissed their findings as 'fake news.' 'The claim of using radar inside the pyramid is false, and the techniques employed are neither scientifically approved nor validated,' the renowned archaeologist said. Mr Biondi and Mr Malanga's methodology relied on analysing ambient vibrations and seismic waves to estimate 'micro-movements' of the pyramid, which they claim enabled high-resolution 3D tomography of the interior, according to their research paper. However, experts including Dr Hawass have called into question whether this approach could realistically penetrate the pyramid's dense stone to the claimed depths of more than 100 metres. The authors propose an unconventional interpretation of the pyramid as a kind of 'giant resonance chamber' designed to be filled with water and generate low-frequency vibrations, rather than solely serving as a pharaonic tomb. They suggest that the pyramid's eight-sided shape and interior chambers were designed to channel water and create a vibrational effect for 'curative and religious purposes'. However, this theory is highly speculative and not supported by archaeological evidence. While the idea of hidden chambers in the Great Pyramid has long fascinated the public imagination, Dr Hawass's team emphasised that decades of rigorous scientific investigations by Egyptian and international experts have yielded no credible evidence for the claimed structures. Previous studies using muon tomography, gravimetry and conventional radar have detected a few small voids but nothing resembling the massive network described by Mr Biondi and Mr Malanga. Despite the lack of scientific substantiation, the researchers' claims rapidly went viral on social media, racking up millions of views and shares. This underscores the need for caution and scepticism when evaluating sensational archaeological 'discoveries' that have not undergone proper scientific vetting and peer review. As Dr Hawass and other Egyptologists have long stressed, unlocking the enduring mysteries of the pyramids requires a patient, evidence-based approach grounded in rigorously tested and validated methods.
