Farmers in some countries must plant seeds as determined by the Government, and these seeds are accompanied by all kinds of 'packages' including irrigation and chemical fertilisers. Farmers are constantly pressed to use chemical inputs in line with agricultural services. These are often not appropriate for local conditions and are dangerous to health and the environment. Farmers are forced to sell their crops at prices that they have had no voice in determining. The technology transfer paradigm remains, and programs similar in spirit to the Green Revolution continue to disempower farmers and force them to depend on government recommendations and agro-company promotions.
Common perceptions persist that farmers are backward, incompetent and weak.
In this case, any form of 'guidance' becomes oppressive. There were 461 IPM farmers in attendance from 12 rice-bowl provinces across Indonesia. The Minister of Agriculture and the Sultan and Governor of Yogyakarta attended the meeting. The organising committee rejected the offer of financial support from pesticide companies, which wanted to hold their own exhibition and promote their products during the Congress. Further, the committee successfully negotiated with Government officials so that they would not use the event for promoting their own agricultural programs.