Is Politics Sacrificing Small Island Agriculture? The Hidden Cost of Local Elections in Maluku

Regional elections in Indonesia, including in Maluku, often become intense political battlegrounds. During each election, the issues raised by regional leadership candidates often reflect short-term political interests, sometimes neglecting the overall needs of the community. One sector that often receives inadequate attention is agriculture on small islands. This sector is the backbone of the local economy, particularly for communities living on these islands. This article will explore how local political dynamics, particularly in the context of regional elections, influence budget allocation and development policies, and how this impacts the agricultural sector on small islands. 

Maluku is an archipelagic province consisting of thousands of small islands with a dispersed population. Since colonial times, Maluku has been known as a producer of spices that attracted colonizers. The Maluku Islands, located in Indonesia, have a rich historical and geographical significance that has shaped their cultural and ecological landscape. Historically, Maluku is known as the "Spice Islands," a term that reflects its historical role in the global spice trade, particularly during the 15th to 17th centuries when European powers sought control over the lucrative spice trade routes. 

This period saw the arrival of the Portuguese and later the Dutch, leading to significant socio-political changes and conflicts in the region. However, after independence, development in Maluku tended to be concentrated in a few major cities like Ambon, while small islands were often neglected. This has led to significant disparities in development between urban and rural areas, especially in the agricultural sector.

During regional elections, candidates often focus on popular issues that have political appeal, such as urban infrastructure, tourism, and projects that can be easily seen and evaluated by the public. Agriculture, especially in remote small islands, rarely becomes a top priority. 

In many regions, including Maluku, the allocation of government budgets often reflects the political motivations of regional leaders. Urban infrastructure projects, such as the construction of highways, bridges, airports, or government buildings, are frequently prioritized over rural or agricultural development, particularly on small islands. This tendency stems from the perception that urban infrastructure projects offer greater political returns, as they are highly visible, easy to quantify, and provide immediate, tangible benefits that can be showcased to voters.

Urban infrastructure projects are attractive to regional leaders for several reasons:

Visibility and Tangibility: Projects like highways or bridges in urban areas are highly visible to the public and can be quickly recognized as achievements of the current administration. These projects often serve as "monuments" to a leader's tenure, easily remembered by voters when elections come around.

Measurable Success: Unlike long-term agricultural development, which may take years to bear fruit, urban infrastructure projects have clear timelines and measurable outputs, such as kilometers of road built or the number of new buildings constructed. This makes it easier for politicians to demonstrate success within their term.

Immediate Economic Impact: Urban infrastructure can stimulate economic activity in cities, leading to short-term job creation and increased business opportunities. These immediate impacts can boost a leader's popularity, especially in the lead-up to elections.

In contrast, rural and agricultural infrastructure, particularly in remote areas like small islands, often receives less attention. This is problematic because, for many small island communities, agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, and proper infrastructure is crucial for the distribution of agricultural products.

Transportation Access: Small islands often struggle with inadequate transportation infrastructure, making it difficult for farmers to get their products to market. While major cities might see new airports or upgraded ports, small islands may lack even basic transportation facilities like reliable ferry services, roads, or bridges. This limits farmers' access to larger markets and can lead to post-harvest losses due to delays in transportation.

Agricultural Infrastructure: Investments in irrigation systems, storage facilities, and farm-to-market roads are essential for agricultural productivity but are often overlooked in favor of urban projects. This neglect can lead to inefficiencies in the agricultural sector, with farmers unable to fully realize the potential of their land due to lack of infrastructure.

Impact on Local Communities: The focus on urban projects at the expense of rural areas exacerbates economic disparities and perpetuates underdevelopment in small island communities. It also undermines the potential for sustainable agricultural development, which could provide long-term benefits not only for the local population but also for regional food security and economic stability.

A prime example of this disparity can be seen in the allocation of funds for ports and airports. While major cities in Maluku might receive substantial investments for new airports or port expansions to boost tourism or trade, smaller islands might struggle with basic ferry access. This lack of infrastructure not only hinders the distribution of agricultural products but also isolates these communities, making it harder for them to participate in broader economic activities.

Many regional leaders prefer to allocate budgets to urban infrastructure projects because they are perceived to offer greater political returns. The construction of highways, bridges, or government buildings in urban centers is easier to measure in terms of success and quickly influences popularity. For example, the construction of airports or ports in major cities is often prioritized, while transportation access to small islands, which is crucial for the distribution of agricultural products, receives less attention.

Regional elections often bring drastic policy changes depending on who is elected. Unfortunately, policies affecting the agricultural sector on small islands often lack consistency and sustainability. 

In many cases, policies related to agricultural development on small islands change with each change in regional leadership. New leaders often alter the development priorities set by their predecessors, ignoring ongoing projects in the agricultural sector in favor of new programs deemed more politically advantageous. For example, in Aru Islands Regency, a program to develop agricultural land for food crops initiated by a previous regent was discontinued by the new regent, who preferred to develop marine tourism because it was seen as more economically and politically beneficial. 

Existing agricultural policies are often temporary and not designed for the long term. Programs like seed or fertilizer aid are often only provided during election periods as a form of political "gift," but are not followed up with adequate training or ongoing technical support. Like giving fish without teaching how to fish, these programs only provide temporary assistance without building the long-term capacity of farmers.

When agriculture on small islands is neglected, the impact on the local community is significant. Not only do they lose their primary livelihood, but they also become trapped in poverty and dependency on external aid. Development disparities caused by policies that do not favor small island farmers result in economic injustice. Urban areas that receive larger budget allocations continue to progress, while villages on small islands fall further behind. Data from Bank Indonesia shows that poverty rates on small islands in Maluku are much higher than in urban areas. This is largely due to a lack of access to agricultural production facilities and supporting infrastructure such as irrigation and roads.

The lack of attention to the agricultural sector on small islands also triggers migration to major cities. People who see no future in their villages are forced to move to cities in search of better job opportunities, even if it means leaving behind their farms and gardens. Villages in the eastern part of Seram Island, once known for sago production, are now mostly abandoned by young residents who choose to migrate to Ambon or Jakarta because they see no bright future in their hometowns.

As an illustration, let's look at the agricultural development program on Seram island, which is an example of how the island's significant potential is not matched by appropriate policies. Seram Island has fertile soil and a climate conducive to agriculture, particularly for crops such as cloves, nutmeg, and coconuts. However, inadequate infrastructure, such as roads and markets, and a lack of technical support from the government mean this potential cannot be fully realized. Since 2010, there have been efforts to develop the agricultural sector on this island through seed and equipment assistance programs. However, these programs have been less successful due to insufficient training and ongoing support. 

One the candidates for regent promised to increase agricultural production by improving irrigation and opening new market access. However, after being elected, the policy focus shifted to tourism infrastructure development, which was considered more politically and economically profitable. As a result, the agricultural sector was again sidelined, and many farmers  felt disappointed by unfulfilled promises. They continue to rely on traditional farming methods, without adequate support from the government.

Imagine small islands as a home for a big family. Every family member has an important role in keeping the house running well. However, if the head of the family only focuses on beautifying the front yard to impress guests, while neglecting the kitchen where daily meals are prepared, soon the whole house will face problems. Agriculture on small islands is like that kitchen---a place that should be the main focus for sustaining life, but is often forgotten because it doesn't "sell" politically. 

To address this issue, fundamental changes are needed in how budget allocation and development policies are set, particularly in the context of regional elections.

Regional governments must ensure that budget allocations for the agricultural sector, especially on small islands, are balanced and sustainable. This means not only providing funds for short-term projects but also ensuring ongoing support through training, market access, and supporting infrastructure. Agricultural policies must be inclusive and involve all stakeholders, including farmers, fishermen, and indigenous communities on small islands. Their participation in planning and implementing programs will ensure that the policies made are truly aligned with their needs. 

Building local capacity through training and agricultural education focused on the specific needs of small islands will help create independent and innovative farmers. Additionally, decentralizing agricultural policies, where decisions are made closer to the local community, will ensure that the implemented programs are more relevant and effective.

The political landscape in regions like Maluku exerts a profound influence on development priorities, often to the detriment of agriculture on small islands. The harsh reality is that this sector frequently becomes a casualty of local elections, where short-term political gains overshadow the long-term needs of rural communities. Instead of serving as a catalyst for positive change, regional elections often reinforce the marginalization of these vital agricultural communities through unsustainable and exclusionary policies.

To break this cycle, regional leaders must fundamentally shift their approach. Agriculture on small islands should no longer be viewed as a mere political bargaining chip but as a critical sector that can drive lasting prosperity for the entire region. By recognizing and investing in the true potential of these islands, leaders can unlock sustainable development that benefits not only the local population but also contributes to broader regional and national progress. 

For whoever is elected as the new regional leader, a critical reassessment is required. The focus must shift from prioritizing urban infrastructure projects, which offer immediate visibility and political returns, to genuinely addressing the needs of small island agriculture. This involves recognizing agriculture not merely as a political tool but as a fundamental pillar of regional prosperity. 

Investing in rural infrastructure, supporting agricultural innovation, and ensuring equitable budget allocations are essential steps to unlocking the full potential of these communities. This is the only way to ensure that the hidden costs of local elections do not continue to sacrifice the future of small island agriculture in Maluku. Fingers Crossed...