Hermanu Triwidodo, a lecturer at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) admits to being concerned about the plight of farmers today. If there is no progress, he feels the sustainability of food production and the welfare of farmers will be at risk. "Farmers are always the object of politics, economics, even social and cultural issues. No one thinks about improving their welfare," he said.

Hermanu, an expert on crop pests, has reasons to feel so