My mother named Nilam is an ordinary woman who lives in the village. While my father’s name is Ali Khatib, the title of Dt. Rajo nan Panjang. My father worked as a teacher at the People’s School (SR), which later changed its name to Elementary School (SD).

From one father and one mother, I have 6 siblings, five boys and one girl. While from the other side of the mother (father’s 2nd wife) I have 6 more siblings, 4 boys and 2 girls.

I entered elementary school in the 1960/1961 academic year in Taeh Bukit. The school is actually an emergency building that was erected once the atmosphere of confrontation subsided between PRRI and the Government of Indonesia. It was only when we were promoted to grade 4 that our school moved to a more permanent location. I passed the final exam in 1966.

Apart from studying at school, I also get along with my peers and help my parents in their daily work. Types of games followed by playmates, for example: pantak lele, siguliak, bodia-bodia botuang and sipak bola limau (all local names).

In helping parents, what is usually done is herding buffaloes. This work is done after school until sunset. To avoid the hot sun or rain we need to wear a pandan hood that is wide enough.

Another activity that is no less important is learning to recite the Qur’an. This activity is carried out at night. The place can be in a surau (mushola) or in the private house of a person who can teach the Qur’an.

B Middle School in Payakumbuh 

In 1967 I entered the Junior High School (SMP Negeri 3 Payakumbuh). The school is located in Kenagarian Koto nan Gadang about 3 km from the city center. Payakumbuh city itself is about 15 km from my village.

For this purpose I had to move to Payakumbuh City. At first I was in a house with my eldest brother. From the place of residence to the school about 3 km, it is only a short walk in the morning and afternoon. There was no public transportation available at that time.

Many new friends were met at this school. They come from various corners of the Limapuluh Kota Regency. This is due to the limited number of secondary schools, such as junior and senior high schools in this area.

One of the school activities that still lingers in my memory is that every Friday morning, students are required to bring 2 coconut shells. The shells are collected and then burned in a prepared pit to produce coconut shell charcoal. For those who do not bring anything ready, they will be punished by well-known teachers for discipline, such as Mr. Anis Durin or Mr. Darmis.

After graduating from junior high school in 1969, I immediately entered Senior High School (SMA Negeri 1 Payakumbuh) in 1970. The school is the only high school in the city which is located across the street from the Hero’s Cemetery in the Labuh Basilang area. To take this education I took a house that was not too far from the school.

Every weekend, on Saturdays I usually go home to pick up my daily supplies. The type of vehicle that is usually boarded is a bendi (wagon). For that usually have to make an appointment with the coachman first. The Bendi that is often ridden is Pak Munab’s Bendi because I am already familiar with him.

Not much time that can be used to rest in the village. Usually arrived at the village at night. The next day, I had to hurry to return to Payakumbuh. This is due to the limited number of vehicles that can be boarded.

In addition to the limited vehicles, the road conditions to my village are also inadequate. My village at that time was classified as an isolated village. From Payakumbuh we can use a vehicle only to the village of Taeh Baruh.

From Taeh Baruh to go to Taeh Bukit, first we have to cross Sinamar river with the bamboo-bridge. After that cross the rice fields about 1.5 km away. The journey is still continued through the path in the hills for about 2.5 km more.

Like from elementary to middle school, I was never left behind in class, as was the case in high school. In 1972 I graduated from high school

C. Studied at the Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University

In 1973 I entered the Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University in Padang. There are about 80 new friends found in this faculty. Before starting lectures, new students are required to take part in POSMA (Student Study Orientation Week).

In summary, the purpose of POSMA is to introduce students to campus life and to form a more independent personality. It’s just that in practice this event is often used for fun for some senior students. I think this has the potential to cause physical and psychological violence.

During college I lived in Ulak Karang approximately 2 km from the Air Tawar campus. Vehicles that can be boarded are city transportation under the name Mini City Express which is commonly referred to as City Express only.

Students consist of five levels, namely level 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Levels 1 to 3 are general lectures that are attended by all students. Level 4 is the level where students take courses based on their majors. Meanwhile, level 5 is the period of thesis and research preparation.

At the end of semester 2 every year there is always an announcement session for level increase to level 2, 3 or 4. These moments are quite stressful for students. It is a special satisfaction for those who pass immediately (the first pass). Likewise for me personally because I managed to pass the first every level increase.

Those who have not succeeded in the first announcement session will be given a follow-up exam which will then be announced again at the second announcement session. For those who have not yet graduated, they are required to repeat the course the following year.

Up to level 4 I chose Agronomy major. The Department of Agronomy was one of the most popular majors at that time. One of my memories is that 4th grade students were invited to go on a field trip to Medan in 1976. The purpose of the field trip was to introduce the development of agriculture, especially the large plantation sector around the city of Medan.

Before preparing a thesis and conducting research, students need to take a Real Work Lecture (KKN). KKN is a way for students to devote knowledge in the community. At that time, in 1977, I carried out the task of KKN in Kenagarian Taluk, Batang Kapas District, Pesisir Selatan Regency.

In the preparation of my thesis and research, I was guided by Mrs. Ir. Mastina Jalil (Advisor I) and Mrs. Ir. Nursinah Nurdin (Advisor II). It’s just that before the research, the Advisor I gave the task of conducting a field study first. This causes a delay in the progress of thesis research for about 1 year.

I conducted research on the use of nitrogen fertilizers in various maize cropping systems. The research was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture in Payakumbuh, 1979. Finally, I passed the Bachelor of Agriculture exam and graduated in October 1980.