Dialogue between President Joko Widodo and Community Representatives Benefited from Bendo Dam and Directors of State Polytechnics in East Java, 7 September 2021, in Ponorogo Regency, East Java Province
SESSION I – Dialogue with Farmers Benefited from Bendo Dam
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What do you do, Sir?
Farmer I
HIPPA farmer of Wilangan, Sambit, Ponorogo.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Association of Water User Farmers (HIPPA)
So, what is your expectation upon the establishment of this dam, Sir?
Farmer I
The farmers, especially in South Ponorogo, are very grateful upon the establishment of this dam because we can reap the benefit of it, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many times a year can you harvest crops?
Farmer I
We can harvest crops three times a year in my area.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, you can harvest crops three times?
Farmer I
Rice, rice, and corn, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Rice, rice, and corn?
Farmer I
Yes.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, how about next crops?
Farmer I
Insya Allah, we may harvest rice three times a year.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Rice, rice, and rice?
Farmer I
Yes.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many tons per hectare can you harvest rice, Sir?
Farmer I
Nowadays, nine tons per hectare
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Nine? Really? What variety is it?
Farmer I
Ciherang, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ciherang, oh Ciherang. Mr. Regent, is it true that they can harvest rice nine tons per hectare?
Regent of Ponorogo Regency (Sugiri Sancoko)
Indeed, Sir. Even in some places, we already have superior variety called KIP rice. KIP stands for Kreasi Insan Petani (Farmers’ Creation), created by Ponorogo people. A variety that we have already started to grow and we can harvest it 14 tons per hectare.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Fourteen?
Regent of Ponorogo Regency (Sugiri Sancoko)
Indeed, 14 tons for now, I have already tried it.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You have tried it and resulted in 14 tons?
Regent of Ponorogo Regency (Sugiri Sancoko)
Indeed, that is correct, Governor Khofifah had once harvested and planted KIP rice together with us.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Where the variety comes from?
Regent of Ponorogo Regency (Sugiri Sancoko)
The variety is resulted from cross-breeding of some rice varieties. We local farmers and creative young people did the cross-breeding. We have started to grow it. The grains are exceptional. One stem may have 700 grains. Therefore, we use treatments to give it adequate nutrition, so the vegetative and generative phases … (inaudible).
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is just that I am surprised to hear about a yield of nine tons per hectare, and this variety can even produce 14 tons per hectare. Oh, so that it is.
Farmer I
Maybe it is due to the land condition that enhances the quality of the rice.
Regent of Ponorogo Regency (Sugiri Sancoko)
Fourteen thousand ton per year.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many tons of rice produced in East Java, Governor?
Governor of East Java (Khofifah Indar Parawansa)
Four hundred and sixty.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
East Java produces 460 thousand ton. And you are …?
Farmer II
Thank you, Sir. I am Director of Association of Water User Farmers (HIPPA), Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What rice variety are you growing currently?
Farmer II
Ciherang variety, Marlboro type, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ciherang? The same one?
Farmer II
Marlboro type.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Malioboro?
Farmer II
Javanese people usually call it Way Apo variety.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Way Apo?
Farmer II
Indeed, that is what Javanese people call it
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I see, how many tons of Ciherang rice do you produce?
Farmer II
I can produce Ciherang rice in my area not more than nine tons, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many?
Farmer II
Eight and a half tons more or less.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Eight and a half? It is indeed a large number.
Farmer II
Hopefully, Bendo Dam could enhance our production more than nine tons, Sir. That is what I hope.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, what else do you hope?
Farmer II
Since Indonesia is an agrarian country, we hope that Bendo Dam can continue to give us benefits, so Indonesian people can really enjoy prosperity. That is our hope, Sir.
Farmer I
Currently, our village needs rice planting machine, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Harvester? Why do you need that?
Farmer I
Because farming workers are getting lesser and lesser. We are having a shortage of workers.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How come?
Farmer II
The young people are reluctant to do it.
Farmer II
The young people …
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, I see.
Farmer II
Mostly so, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, are you both living in the same area?
Farmer II
We live in nearby villages.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, OK, alright. I will send you one harvester then.
Farmer I
Wilangan Village, Sir
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Wilangan Village, alright. One machine can be jointly used.
Farmer I
Pardon me, Bapak President usually give bicycles in some events. Please give us bicycles, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
One harvester and a bicycle.
Farmer I
One more, please.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, one more.
SESSION II – Dialogue with Directors of State Polytechnics in East Java
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, what polytechnics provide? And then, after the students graduate, what will they do?
can
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
INKA (National Manufacturer Company for Railway and Urban Transportation) has agreed to recruit students of Railway Studies according to job vacancies in INKA.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
All of them?
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Not all of them. They have to go through recruitment and selection process. Since most of the trains are ordered by industries, we expect the trains are sold together with the maintenance crew as a combined package. So, the maintenance crew will be recruited by the buyer.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many students graduate per year, Sir?
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Currently, 50 students for the first batch. The next batch will consist of 100 students in a year, President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, not many, but they must be good quality students, right?
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Indeed.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Some of them will be recruited by KAI (National Train Operator Company) also, right?
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Not yet, but once they graduate, we plan to promote them to PT KAI, especially for train maintenance.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
They may be recruited by INKA, KAI, MRT, and LRT companies, and later the upcoming high-speed railway company.
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Indeed, and insya Allah, the first batch will graduate this year.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That is good, Sir. I think the prospect will be good. I think more graduated students are needed for LRT and MRT that are basically also train. OK, I will think about it.
Director of Madiun State Polytechnic, East Java Province
We look forward to hearing from you, Mr. President. Thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You’re welcome, Sir.
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
We are from Jember State Polytechnic, President. We have 9,832 students, almost 10,000. Our first campus is in Jember, second campus is in Bondowoso, third campus is in Nganjuk Regency, and fourth campus is in Sidoarjo Regency, President.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, how many campuses?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
There are five campuses, and we also plan to have one in Situbondo Regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Those five campuses are all polytechnic?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Jember State Polytechnic, campus 1, campus 2, campus 3, and campus 4.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
They are all polytechnic, right?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Yes, under our coordination, Mr. President. Jember State Polytechnic is specialized in farming and animal husbandry.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Farming and animal husbandry? So, what are the students taught about?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Basically, polytechnic provides vocational education consisting of 70 percent practice and 30 percent theory.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What kind of practice? So, what is practiced in farming and animal husbandry?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Students are provided with facilities and infrastructures in a teaching factory. So, it is the campus’ factory that meets industrial standards in order to create the atmosphere of industrial culture at the campus. Therefore, when the students practice at campus, they will experience a situation similar to real industry. The campus’ factory is also supported by an industry.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, the teaching factory is under the coaching of an industry?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
So, on the whole, polytechnic should link and match with industry
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
What industry that mostly hire the graduated students, Sir?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Mostly, they are hired by plantations, Indonesian Research Center of Coffee and Cacao (Puslitkoka) in Jember, and Mitratani Dua Tujuh food industry, and so on.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, that is good. So, where are the campus locations?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Our main campus in Jember, second campus is in Bondowoso Regency that will be specialized in coffee industry because the regency has a coffee industry named Bondowoso Republik Kopi, and the third campus is in Nganjuk Regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In Nganjuk, there is a campus in Nganjuk, alright.
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Yes, and the fourth campus is in Sidoarjo Regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In Sidoarjo, OK, alright.
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Soon, another campus will be built in Situbondo Regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Very good.
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Because it is important to expand the access to education, as directed by the Ministry.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is good because the polytechnic is connected with industry, that is a good thing. So, the teachers are practitioners, right?
Director of Jember State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Correct, once the students are graduated, they will be assessed by related industry to ensure that their professional competence are certified by a Profession Certification Institution (LSP P1) which is under National Board of Profession Certification.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That is excellent, alright. So, Pak Awan, you are…?
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
I am from Malang State Polytechnic, Sir. Malang State Polytechnic in East Java Province. Our polytechnic is the biggest one in Indonesia, pardon me, because we have 13,500 students, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thirteen thousand? It is in one …
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
One city.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, they are all in one campus?
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Similar to Jember State Polytechnic, we have a campus in Kediri city, Lumajang Regency, and Pamekasan Regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Nowadays, polytechnics are good.
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
The number of student applicants is astonishing, Pak Jokowi. Last year, the student applicants reached 66 thousand, but we only accept 3,500 students per year.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, the quality must be good if many applicants are interested and narrowly selected. The reason must be because it is easy to look for jobs after they graduate.
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Indeed, we cooperate with State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), State-Owned Electrical Company (PT. PLN) to make specialized classes, Pak Jokowi. So, after they graduate from the polytechnic, they will be recruited immediately by State-Owned Electrical Company, KMF manufacturing company, and so on.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
OK, I will try to pay a visit one day to see it myself.
Director of Malang State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Please, Sir. We look forward to your visit.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Together with Governor, alright. Now, the polytechnic in Madura? Specialized in maritime subjects?
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Assalamu’alaikum warahamtullahi wabarakatuh
Our polytechnic was established in 2012, not long ago, President. We started from zero student, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Two thousand sixteen?
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Two thousand twelve, same as Madiun State Polytechnic. Alhamdulillah, we already have infrastructure to develop maritime supporting industry. Alhamdulillah, this year we have already built ships and ambulance boats in a cooperation with Regional Government of Sampang, and have supported shipbuilding industry. We do it at Madura State Polytechnic.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How many students are there now, Sir?
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Alhamdulillah, this year we have 750 students.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That is quite large.
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Yes, every year we have about 800 until 1,000 applicants, but only 300 are accepted.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Oh, so may applicants. I see. I think in the future, polytechnic will be more promising because its connectivity to industry and practitioners. That makes the graduated students easily get jobs.
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Yes, President, not long before six months, 80 percent of our graduated students are hired, and the rest continue their study or get married.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pardon me, how many semesters are there at polytechnic?
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Three years for Diploma-III program, four years for Applied Science degree program, two years for Master Degree/Applied Magister program. We also provide Applied Magister program, Sir. The Competency Tests are also provided in some levels.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Applied Magister program is …?
Director of Madura State Polytechnic, East Java Province
Master’s Degree of Applied Science.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
All polytechnics have this program?
Director of a Polytechnic
Yes, all polytechnics have the program. Not only D-III, D-IV, but also Master’s Degree.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
How much is the tuition fee per semester? Compared to universities …
Director of a Polytechnic
Tuition fee at polytechnics is very cheap. Mostly it is under the tuition fee in universities. Well, some programs charge tuition fee as much as Rp3 million, Rp11 million for cooperation program (programs cooperating with companies), or Rp9 million, it depends. However, although it is expensive, we still have many applicants. Alhamdulillah.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
OK, alright, I will make inspection one day. We will see.
(AW/LW)