Introduction

Blessed with a rich natural environment, Malang Regency produces a wide variety of agricultural products. However, economic statistics show that the growth of the agricultural sector is lagging behind. In an effort to address these challenges, the local government, farmers, and private enterprises are collaborating to build a new agricultural model.

This article focuses on “Kembange Tani Bersiul,” the agricultural ecosystem reform launched by Malang Regency in 2023. In the latter part, we will also present a video introducing the lives of farmers in Malang Regency.

Malang’s Agriculture in Numbers

Malang’s Agriculture: 3rd in GRDP, Lowest in Growth Rate

In 2024, Malang Regency achieved an economic growth rate of 4.96%, slightly exceeding the 4.93% economic growth rate of East Java Province. When examining Malang Regency’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by industry, the highest shares are held by manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, construction, and information.

On the other hand, in terms of growth rate, transportation and warehousing, government administration, defense and social security, other services, information, and medical services/social activities showed higher growth. Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries—despite ranking 3rd in terms of GRDP share—recorded the lowest growth rate at 0.89%.

It should be noted that this situation in Malang Regency reflects the overall situation in Indonesia. In Indonesia’s 2024 GDP by industry, manufacturing, commerce, and agriculture are the top sectors. However, agriculture recorded the lowest growth rate among all industries at just 0.67%.

References:

BPS Kabupaten Malang, “Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Kabupaten Malang Tahun 2024,” p.9
BPS, “BERITA RESMI STATISTIK, 5 FEBRUARI 2025,” p.13

Malang Regency’s Agricultural Reform “Kembange Tani Bersiul”

The Malang Regency Food Crops, Horticulture, and Plantation Office (DTPHP) has embarked on building a “comprehensive agricultural ecosystem” aimed at maximizing agricultural output to enrich people’s lives.

The agricultural model DTPHP is striving to establish is called “Kembange Tani Bersiul (The Farmer’s Whistling Flower).” This concept signifies “collaborative development through the construction of an agricultural ecosystem leveraging local strengths,” and encompasses cooperation among local governments, agricultural organizations, private enterprises, and academia. Under this ecosystem, farmers collaborate with various stakeholders, receiving support ranging from the provision of superior seeds and guidance on cultivation techniques to post-harvest processing and sales. Efforts are also underway to provide subsidies for fertilizer costs and grants to young agricultural workers known as “millennial farmers.”

This ecosystem was first introduced in 2023 to potato and tobacco farmers.

For example, although potatoes are one of the main agricultural products in Malang Regency, production has not kept pace with local demand. In Ngadas Village, Poncokusumo District, the production hub within Malang Regency, about 350 hectares of farmland are used for potato cultivation, allowing for two harvests per year. However, aging seed potatoes and low productivity had been significant challenges.

In response, Malang Regency provided farmers with superior varieties of seed potatoes, successfully increasing yields to four times the previous levels. Additionally, they are fostering the development of seed producers.

In 2024, the “Kembange Tani Bersiul” initiative expanded to other crops, resulting in significant increases in both cultivated area and yields, particularly for rice, corn, sugarcane, coffee, various types of chili, shallots, bananas, avocados, and tangerines. Such efforts are expected to contribute to increased production and improved living standards for farmers.

References:

Times Indonesia, “Kembange Tani Bersiul, Inovasi Ekosistem Pertanian Terintegrasi DTPHP Kabupaten Malang” / “Ada Sentra Penghasil 11 Komoditas Unggulan Pertanian di Kabupaten Malang”
Times Malang, “Pemkab Malang Bangun Rumah Pintar Klaster Kentang, Pusat Edukasi Jaga Varietas Unggulan”

Malang’s Agriculture in Motion

Lettuce Farmers in the Mountains

Watch the Video

This video showcases the daily life of a farming family in Malang. From early in the morning, the entire family works together harvesting lettuce, offering glimpses of the village scenery surrounded by mountains. In addition to lettuce, this farm also produces green onions, celery, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and carrots.

The woman harvesting in the video not only supports the family business but also shares her rural lifestyle on TikTok and sells snacks.

A Millennial Farmer’s Friday

Watch the Video

This is a millennial farmer in Malang who grows long beans, corn, and bok choy.

This particular day was a Friday. Two women, who are cousins, carried 30 kg of long beans to the field. However, they were not there to farm. They lined up the long beans by the roadside with a message: “Jumat Berkah, please take one bunch per person.”

“Jumat Berkah” means “Blessed Friday.” For Muslims, Friday is a special day that encourages acts such as communal prayers and reading the Qur’an.

One such practice is charity. These women, following Islamic teachings, offered part of their harvested long beans free of charge to local residents. The video captures passersby happily taking home the long beans.

Will This Become a Successful Example of Agricultural Reform?

Malang Regency’s agricultural reform, “Kembange Tani Bersiul,” aims to improve farmers’ productivity and income through multifaceted support such as seed improvement, technical guidance, and market expansion.

Such initiatives are expected to contribute to balanced regional economic growth and the revitalization of rural communities. Although agriculture remains a key industry in Indonesia, it faces numerous challenges such as delays in mechanization and technology adoption, low productivity, and low incomes for agricultural workers. It is anticipated that the accumulation of successful examples of these localized efforts will lead to broader implementation across the country.