Analysis of the reasons why rice prices are expensive and scarce in Indonesia

Analysis of the reasons why rice prices are expensive and scarce in Indonesia

Nesianetwork    Februari 25, 2024    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - 25/02/2024. In recent weeks, many netizens have complained about rising rice prices and limited purchases due to scarce stocks. There were allegations of shortages and rising prices of rice because a lot of it was bought up by politicians as social assistance ahead of the election, however, without intending to defend the government, the phenomenon of rising rice prices and reduced stocks in markets is part of a global domino effect, let's analyze it.

India, as one of the largest rice exporters in the world, has restricted its exports for three months. Not because demand is decreasing, in fact there is more demand. However, this policy must be taken to protect domestic needs and domestic production which is not as large as usual.

Apart from world needs which always increase as the number of people increases, the scarcity of stock in the world is influenced by several reasons, namely:

1. Natural conditions

The effects of global warming are real, the weather has become unpredictable in the last year, we have experienced high temperatures and long dry seasons. This has a big impact on agricultural products, especially rice, whose growth requires a stable water supply. For several areas that rely on rainwater for irrigation, it is clear that production will be disrupted and this phenomenon does not only occur in Indonesia but throughout the world.

Unfortunately, when the rainy season arrives with heavy rainfall, many rice fields are flooded. Just mention the Demak area which had a flash flood yesterday, you can estimate that many rice fields will fail to harvest.

2. Productive rice fields are narrowing

If you have noticed that in the last few years many rice fields have become houses and settlements, there are many factors why farmers are willing to sell their fields and become housing, but what is certain is that this land conversion will reduce the amount of paddy and rice production.

3. High production costs

To produce grain and rice, farmers now have to spend more capital on seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and the wages of agricultural laborers are increasing. Unfortunately, when the harvest season arrives, it is not uncommon for the government to open the taps for rice imports, causing the selling price of local farmers' grain to plummet and their profits to become thinner.

4. Geopolitical conditions and distribution chains

Conflicts and wars that occur in various countries have more or less affected production and distribution chains. Logistics costs are increasingly expensive and goods are increasingly difficult to supply.

That's all our post this time about Analysis of the Reasons Why Rice Prices Are Expensive and Rare in Indonesia, maybe you have other opinions, you can share them in the comments column. Hopefully it's useful see you.

Source: wirausahanesia.com

8 Tips Ho To Managing Plastic Bottle Waste, Strategies for a Greener Tomorrow

8 Tips Ho To Managing Plastic Bottle Waste, Strategies for a Greener Tomorrow

Nesianetwork    Februari 25, 2024    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - Plastic bottle waste poses a significant environmental challenge worldwide. However, by implementing effective strategies, we can mitigate its impact on our planet. Here are some practical steps to handle plastic bottle waste responsibly:

1. Reduce Consumption

The most effective way to handle plastic bottle waste is to reduce its production in the first place. Opt for reusable water bottles and containers instead of single-use plastic bottles. By making this simple switch, you can significantly decrease your plastic footprint.

2. Recycle

Proper recycling is crucial in managing plastic bottle waste. Check your local recycling guidelines to ensure you're sorting and disposing of plastic bottles correctly. Many communities offer curbside recycling programs, making it convenient to recycle plastic bottles along with other household recyclables.

3. Reuse and Repurpose

 Get creative with your plastic bottles by finding ways to reuse them. Use them as planters for small herbs or flowers, or repurpose them as storage containers for small items like buttons or screws. By giving plastic bottles a second life, you can reduce the demand for new plastic production.

4. Support Recycling Initiatives

Advocate for recycling initiatives in your community and support businesses that prioritize sustainability. Encourage local governments to invest in recycling infrastructure and educate residents about the importance of proper waste management.

5. Educate Others 

Spread awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bottle waste and the importance of responsible consumption. Host community events, workshops, or educational campaigns to educate others about recycling, reducing, and reusing plastic bottles.

6. Invest in Alternatives

Explore alternative packaging options that are more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic bottles. Look for products packaged in biodegradable or compostable materials, or choose beverages sold in aluminum or glass containers, which are easier to recycle.

7. Participate in Clean-up Efforts

Get involved in local clean-up initiatives to remove plastic bottle waste from natural habitats and waterways. Participating in beach clean-ups, river clean-ups, or neighborhood clean-up events can have a tangible impact on reducing plastic pollution in our environment.

8. Support Legislation and Policies

Advocate for policies that promote responsible waste management and reduce plastic pollution. Support legislation aimed at reducing single-use plastics, implementing bottle deposit programs, or incentivizing businesses to use eco-friendly packaging.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a culture of sustainability, we can effectively handle plastic bottle waste and work towards a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.

Unfortunately Bangladesh Capital Most Polluted as Toxic Smog Engulfs South Asian Cities

Unfortunately Bangladesh Capital Most Polluted as Toxic Smog Engulfs South Asian Cities

Nesianetwork    Desember 23, 2023    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id - The capitals of India and Bangladesh are blanketed by a thick layer of toxic smog, as air quality plummets in both New Delhi and Dhaka.

Dhaka briefly emerged as the world’s most polluted city on Wednesday, with a “hazardous” index level of 325, according to Swiss climate monitor IQAir.

By midday, however, conditions improved slightly, with the index dropping to 177 – still in the “unhealthy” range.

The air quality in Dhaka, one of the world’s most crowded cities with more than 20 million residents, has worsened in recent years as fossil fuels are overused, bringing health problems for the people.

“We often suffer from asthma, fever and allergies while operating rickshaws on the streets,” said Rafiq Mondal, who drives a vehicle for a living. “It is often very painful.”

While authorities in Dhaka spray the streets with water to help the dust settle, residents want additional steps taken.

“The air pollution is taking its toll,” said resident Wasim Akhter.

“With all the mega projects like the metro rail overhead, there is a lot of construction material everywhere … Measures must be taken more seriously.”

The World Bank has urged Bangladesh to coordinate more closely with its South Asian neighbours to clean up the air.

Air pollution, which is often a mix of solid particles, liquid droplets and gasses,  accounts for one-fifth of deaths in the country each year, it said in a report.

In New Delhi, which often leads the world’s most polluted list, the AQI index on Wednesday read 378, according to the Central Pollution Control Board – a rating of “very poor”.

The dense fog in the Indian capital and across northern India led to the delays of more than 100 flights and the disruption of rail services as visibility reduced to barely 50 metres (164 feet) in some areas.

Dense fog contains particulate matter and other pollutants, according to the weather department, which warned of the impact this may have on the health of the city’s tens of millions of residents.

Other parts of north India, including the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana reported similar weather conditions.

Source: aljazeera.com

Climate change witnesses describe evolving weather impacts

Climate change witnesses describe evolving weather impacts

Nesianetwork    Desember 21, 2023    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id -  Our planet is heating up and many people are experiencing the climate crisis firsthand. DW asked people around the world how rising temperatures have altered their lives.

The climate is changing. Temperatures have risen an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial age — due in most part to the burning of fossil fuels that release planet-heating greenhouse gases. 

But how is the resulting climate change making itself felt in everyday life? 

DW spoke to people across some of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world to understand how they are being impacted.

1. Northern Alaska: Snow much later, says Utquiagvik resident

How I remember it in the past, like 20 years ago, it would start snowing before school because school would start the second week of August and then the kids would start walking to school in the snow. But now look!

2. Colombia: Alfonso Florez, 64, notes worsening drought

There is a connection between drought and electricity because Colombia gets a huge part of its electric energy from hydroelectric power stations. And when they [reservoirs and dams] dry out, there is no more power. There is no other way to get power.

We are totally depending on water to produce power. And if the reservoirs dry out then we will be left without energy.

3. South Africa: Magqabi Buka, 80, remembers seasons in South Africa

The weather changed. I mean it changed because now there are no longer seasons like before. 

We used to have summer [and] winter, yes. But now we don't have that anymore. It's just one season throughout the year.

4. Austria: Retired woman Susanne Schulze recalls ice and snow that is no more

Just outside Vienna, there's the Hohe Wand grassland with a ski lift where I used to go skiing with my children. And that's definitely no longer possible.

And the old Danube [river] used to freeze over, we could ice skate there, and now it's just too hot. Also here, you're longing for rain. I used to always look forward to nice weather. And now I'm careful when I say: 'Why isn't the sun shining today?'

I'm almost happy when it rains. What is bad weather? It's almost as if bad weather is sunshine!

5. Indonesia: Toni Cahyono, 70, says heat is becoming more extreme

The heat is unbelievable, especially lately. This is probably because of the El Nino effect, I think.

If you want to go out during the day, you don't have the energy for it.

6. India: Fisherman Sadashiv Gopal Raje experiences rising heat in his village near Mumbai

In my childhood days, our village had so many coconut plantations, and there was open space and a breeze and no pollution.

Due to climate change, we now use AC (air conditioners), which was not required back then. The cool breeze was enough, electricity was saved, and we could sleep in our homes without a fan.

Now due to this climate change, we need to install fans and air conditioners.

India: Pravin Choudhury, 50, remembers a much shorter monsoon

We have seen changes in our time. When I was maybe 15,16 years of age, we used to see the rain start on the 7th or 8th of June, and it ended closer to the end of July or the first week of August.

But now we see these rains start in the middle of June and they continue to the end of September. This is definitely a big change we have seen which has come with a lot of issues.

The rain is much longer and brings too many changes in our life. The humidity is increasing, the temperatures are raising up, which is affecting our day-to-day life.

 Edited by: Tamsin Walker

The interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/climate-witnesses-relate-changing-weather-impacts/a-67534877

Waste4Change is building a circular economy in Indonesia

Waste4Change is building a circular economy in Indonesia

Nesianetwork    Desember 21, 2023    Comment   

 

Nesianetwork.id -  Even the largest landfills in Indonesia are at (or nearing) capacity, and the government has set an ambitious target of 30% waste reduction by 2025. Waste4Change is one of the companies that wants to help by increasing rates of recycling and enabling better waste management. The startup, which currently manages more than 8,000 tons of waste very year, announced today that it has raised $5 million in Series A funding, co-led by AC Ventures and PT Barito Mitra Investama.

Other participants in the round include Basra Corporation, Paloma Capital, PT Delapan Satu Investa, Living Lab Ventures, SMDV and Urban Gateway Fund. Founded in 2014, Waste4Change has seen a CAGR of 55.1% since 2017, and is present in 21 Indonesian cities, where its services are currently used by about 100 B2B clients and more than 3,500 households.

Waste4Change was created by founder and CEO Mohamad Bijaksana Junerosano based on conversations between PT Greeneration Indonesia, an NGO, and waste management organization PT Bumi Lestari Bali (ecoBali) to form a company that reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Junerosano is an environmental engineer by training and spent 16 years working in the solid waste sector.

Junerosano says that a major opportunity is created by Indonesia’s low recycling rates (about 11% to 12%), which means there is a lot of valuable recyclable material that is being left behind.

“Waste reduction is a top priority, followed by material optimization and recycling which supports the concept of a truly circular economy,” he told TechCrunch.

Waste4Change will use its new funding on expansion and increasing its waste management capacity up to 100 tons per day over the next 18 months, with the target of reaching more than 2,000 tons per day over the next five years.

Junerosano said Waste4Change differentiates from traditional waste management solutions by providing an end-to-end solution, with a focus on sustainability and zero waste. Part of its strategy includes more digital integration for monitoring and recording the process of waste management and automating its material recovery facilities.

“We see digital integration as a valuable tool to build a sustainable waste management ecosystem,” he said. “The goal is always to create harmony between the environment, the economy and the people.” Waste4Change’s digital integration strategy this year and next include improving its waste journey report and monitoring, which its customers receive after their trash is processed.

To use Waste4Change, customers can ask for a pick-up team to collect their pre-sorted trash or drop it off themselves. The company currently has 108 employees and 141 waste management operators, with plans to add 52 more people to its team and work with 300 informal waste collectors and SMEs. Informal waste collectors include scavengers, waste banks, waste stalls and waste aggregators.

For recycling business partners, including informal waste collectors, Waste4Change is building a platform to help them sell and buy solid waste with the company. The goal is increase the traceability and accuracy of the waste management process. It is also working on a program called Send Your Waste, where consumers can send waste to Waste4Change’s pick-up points. An app tells them what kinds of waste to send, where the nearest pick-up point is and what kind of reward they can receive.

Junerosano says informal waste collectors tend to be selective about the materials they collect, picking out PET bottles, glass and cardboard. But this means less desirable materials like PP plastic, multilayer packaging and styrofoam are often left behind, polluting the environment. To combat that, Waste4Change has started a service called Waste Credit, which gives incentives for picking up certain materials, and also makes it easy for waste collectors to build this businesses.

“Considering the crucial role of the informal sector in improving Indonesia’s recycling rate, we aim to build a waste recycling platform that will keep the system sustainable,” he said. “We are more than happy to bring it to life with a joint venture or joint operation with other industry stakeholders, including those in the informal sector and local Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) temporary waste storage sites.”

In a statement, AC Ventures founding partner Pandu Sjahrir said, “Waste4Change is a pioneer providing an end-to-end waste management solution. Sustainability is the team’s main focus, with a demonstrated commitment to building a better future for Indonesia. The company is proving that it has reached product-market fit and has the potential to scale across the nation.”

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/13/waste4change-is-building-a-circular-economy-in-indonesia/