VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

People of Syria, still suffer from the prolonged war in the country. The hope that bombings in some parts of the country, with the provision of a ceasefire, has not yet materialized.

There was another bomb attack on Tiyas, one of Syria's air bases, said to be  used by Russia, an ally of the Syrian government. The Syrian government said the bomb attack, dropped by a jet fighter, was done by the United States. Another ally, Iran, also declared the attack was carried out by the United States. But Washington denied the allegations.

In a statement, the Iranian government said that the US attack was based on unfit reasons. Last week rumors circulated that the Syrian government has launched attacks using chemical substances.

As reported by Iran's official news agency IRNA, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the United States and Western countries made allegations of chemical gas strikes, the reason for military action against Damascus. Bahram Qasemi confirmed that the allegations were untrue. Iran is a supporter of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in a war against US-backed insurgents and their allies.

Countries supporting  opponents of Bashar Al Assad government condemned the use of chemical weapons in Douma, the base city  of the opposition. From Berlin, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert stated,  his government condemned the use of toxic gases. Germany insists that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for the attack.

The issue of chemical attack followed by air strikes on Syrian territory proves that the turmoil in Syria is still far from being  resolved. Hostilities in the country have involved several other foreign parties and become entangled. The result is a prolonged  war which has killed many civilians. In the end, it is the Syrian people that have to bear the consequences.

Today's young people seem to have very little interest to cultivate the field of agriculture, especially in planting rice. They seem to forget that rice is the staple food of Indonesian people in which geographical area and large food consumption would require thousands of young people who want to cultivate agriculture. The Desema Gema Institution has been established to provide excellent community resources in Agriculture and want to reduce people's dependency on chemical fertilizers. Trained youths can make their own fertilizers based on their local potential. They are prepared to be a generation of farmers now and then. Farming training for the youths is important to create a reproduction of agricultural human resources, which until now is still dominated by the senior, so the existence of the youths is rejuvenation of agricultural human resources.

The government of Indonesia has realized national food sovereignty and security. Thus, the matter of agriculture is the responsibility not only the Ministry of Agriculture, but also other related ministries such as Ministry of Sports and Youth, Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Area, and Transmigration, and Ministry of Manpower.

The organic program of young farmers based on local wisdom and established by the Ministry of Youth and Sports has produced positive results. On Saturday 7 April, there was first organic rice harvest in Kaligerman village, Karanggeneng sub-district, Lamongan regency, East Java. The rice produced is completely organic because the process of planting did not use any chemical fertilizers or insecticides at all.

The organic rice was successfully developed by a young farmer, Husni Mubarok in Lamongan, East Java, who has received special training of organic farming from Gema Desantara institution. He tried to use organic fertilizer in the form of Microbe 5 whose all ingredients are from nature, such as rice, soil of bamboo, brown sugar, banana stems, cow compost and others. Besides being good at health, another of the organic fertilizer use is being cheaper than the chemical fertilizers. Once the making of Microbe 5, it can be used up to four growing seasons. Economically, this is more profitable.

The government of Lamongan regency does support this program that can attract young people to cultivate farming in agriculture. The result was already proven during the first harvest of organic rice. This is stated by Secretary of  Youth and Sports of Lamongan regency, Bambang Didik Suparto. The program of young farmers at Youth and Sports  Ministry was held in 10 provinces throughout Indonesia, and the number of the participants reaches 1.000 young people.

Indonesia will face demographic bonus. Youth potential must be well managed. Otherwise, demographic bonus will be terrible for Indonesia. Organic program of young farmers is part of the farmer regeneration who can continue to serve the profession of being farmers. This program can be one of the most effective ways to make the country prosperous.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is optimistic that air connectivity between Indonesia and Ethiopia will open wider opportunities to enhance economic ties between Indonesia and Africa.

"The air connectivity will serve as a new start. We still have one. We want to have more," Marsudi said at a panel discussion of the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Tuesday.

At the first ever IAF, GMF AeroAsia signed cooperation agreements with Max Air and Ethiopian Airlines. In total, 10 cooperation agreements including those from the aviation industry were signed with a total value of US$586.56 million during the IAF 2018. With the signing of the cooperation agreements in the air transportation sector, trade between Indonesia and Africa will hopefully increase. Although the value of Indonesia-Africa trade is still not too large, it grew significantly to US$8 billion last year, up 15 percent compared to the year before.

African countries export crude oil, cotton, and cocoa bean to Indonesia, while their imports from Indonesia include motor vehicles, palm oil and instant noodle.  Indonesia wants to be part of development in Africa, while on the other hand it wants the continent to be part of its development, she said. During the IAF, an exhibition was also held to display a wide range of products from Indonesia`s state-owned and privately-run companies.

The forum brought together 500 delegates comprising government officials, business agents and other stakeholders from both Africa and Indonesia. (antara)

State aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has signed a contract worth US$75 million with the air forces of Senegal and Ivory Coast for the sale of CN-235 and NC-212 aircraft.

"The African market is promising, as it comprises several countries. Geographically, African countries and Indonesia have similarities, so they need several light and medium turboprop aircraft," PTDI President Director Elfien Goentoro stated at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Tuesday.

Goentoro signed the contract with Belgian air defense commercial company Gaby Peretz in the capacity as business partner of the two African countries on the sidelines of the Indonesia-Africa Forum 2018 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. Under the contract, PTDI will sell NC-212-200 aircraft used for maritime surveillance and a CN-235-220 aircraft for maritime patrolling to the Senegalese Air Force and a CN-235-220 for military transportation to the Ivory Coast Air Force. Goentoro noted that both sides will further sign a contract for the sale of the aircraft in July or August 2018. PTDI is expected to deliver the aircraft to the two air forces in a year and a half.

On Dec 27 last year, PTDI had also delivered a CN-235-220 aircraft ordered by the Senegalese Air Force. The multi-purpose aircraft left the Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung for Dakar, Senegal. Senegal signed another contract with PTDI on August 8, 2017, for the purchase of a CN235-220 aircraft for its Air Force to conduct maritime patrols. Apart from Senegal, Burkina Faso and Guinea have also used CN-235s. (antara)