General Remarks
In Indonesia, the OISCA Chapter was established in 1975, initiating the dispatch of trainees to Japan and the invitation of Japanese technical personnel to Indonesia. Furthermore, in 1976, it launched the demonstration farm that led to the current training center, continuing its activities for the subsequent half-century. While trends such as young people leaving agriculture and climate change pose obstacles to developing agricultural talent and expanding greening activities, we will continue our work in collaboration with OISCA alumni trainees, exploring initiatives that align with the times.
Sukabumi Training Center (aiming to resume agricultural training)
The center launched Japanese language courses in 2022 for young people wishing to visit Japan for technical intern training programs. Meanwhile, recruitment for its main long-term regular course (9 months/primarily agricultural training) has been suspended. Instead, it has been accepting students from agricultural high schools and university agriculture majors nationwide as short-term trainees (approximately one week to four months). However, staff strongly desired to continue agricultural training, even on a smaller scale. Consequently, efforts have been underway to resume the regular course starting in FY2025.
Karanganyar Training Center (exploring forms of agriculture that appeal to young people)
In line with global trends, young people in Indonesia are increasingly turning away from agriculture. However, we are dispelling negative perceptions like “it’s physically demanding yet low paying” while teaching methods that allow even those without farmland to easily grow vegetables.
One such method is aquaponics, which allows standing work and reduces physical strain. We also incorporate vegetable cultivation using large water server bottles, providing training programs designed to spark young people’s interest in agriculture.
Mangrove Planting Project (coping with climate change)
Strong winds and waves from the sea, coastal erosion, and other phenomena believed to be caused by climate change, along with the impact of altered ocean currents due to port construction, are increasingly causing damage. This includes hindering the growth of planted saplings and even washing away mature trees that had already formed forests.
Despite the many challenges, we will continue our forest-building efforts to protect the coastal villages.
Children’s Forest Program (CFP)
In FY2024, 476 schools across Indonesia participated in the Children’s Forest program（CFP）. A total of 21,674 trees were planted across an area of 11.35 hectares. This brings the cumulative number of trees planted from 1991 to 541,814, with a cumulative planting area of 623.00 hectares.
Children’s Goodwill Ambassadors Program (Children’s Voices and Cross-Border Exchange)
In May 2024, OISCA invited six schoolchildren representatives and coordinators from CFP participating schools in Thailand and Indonesia to Japan. They visited Hokkaido, Osaka, and Hyogo, where they engaged in exchange activities with local schools, observed environmental conservation and disaster prevention education initiatives, and held activity report sessions.
At the talk event held in Osaka on May 19, the children shared their awareness of environmental issues and their efforts to address them, introducing local initiatives. The event was widely shared not only at the venue but also online. Participants commented that “the authenticity of the fieldwork came through” and that “the children’s expressions and words conveyed their pride in the activity and their growth.” After returning home, the goodwill ambassadors have been presenting activity reports at their respective schools and in their communities, creating learning environments by providing opportunities to share their experiences with fellow children and local residents.
tank beneath the vegetables (Karanganyar Training Center)
