Professor Fransiskus Trisakti Haryadi was formally instated as a professor specializing in social economics of animal husbandry at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Tuesday (Feb. 13).
During his induction, he delivered a speech spotlighting the potential and hurdles small-scale farmer breeders face in grappling with climate change and how the evolution of digital technology can propel their empowerment toward precision farming.
“In this discourse, I aim to voice my concern and solidarity for one of the overlooked groups in agricultural progress, namely small-scale farmer breeders in Indonesia, who have been my comrades and partners in executing the tri dharma activities,” he remarked.
Approximately 1.3 billion small farmers globally furnish over 80% of the food consumed in developing nations, rendering them pivotal in global food security. The significance of small-scale farmer breeders in the agricultural and animal husbandry domains transcends developing countries, extending to developed ones.
Professor Haryadi elucidated that for small farmers and breeders, agriculture, including animal husbandry, constitutes their principal source of sustenance. Nonetheless, obstacles impede their ability to elevate agriculture or animal husbandry into a dignified and sustainable livelihood.
“Small-scale farmer breeders face adversity due to the meager productivity and yields of agriculture and animal husbandry, alongside limited access to inputs, credit, and markets. Moreover, they are exceedingly susceptible to shocks such as extreme weather events, which are escalating due to climate change, particularly in tropical regions,” he expounded.
The small-scale farmer system has historically adapted to environmental and socio-economic shifts due to its varied adaptive capacities like knowledge, networks, and management techniques.
However, with evolving times, sectoral needs, and reliance on assumptive natural cues, these capacities fall short and pose risks due to associated uncertainties.
“At that point, technological innovation is imperative to bridge the divide. Enhanced access to information will enable farmers to effortlessly access market intelligence for optimal pricing and cater to market demands,” he appended.
Aside from market insights, farmers will seamlessly access climate forecasts and disease information, thereby enhancing disaster and risk management. Farmers will also find it easier to avail themselves of extension services, especially those of suitable technology services, thereby enhancing their productivity.
Professor Haryadi also delved into precision livestock farming in his discourse, tracing its origins back to the early 1980s in the United States. This methodology empowers small-scale farmers to utilize their limited resources more judiciously and effectively.
“Small-scale farmer breeders constitute our most invaluable assets. Tailored precision farming solutions for small farmers can ameliorate various challenges, empowering the succeeding generation of small farmer families to opt for farming utilizing contemporary agricultural paradigms and tools or venture into providing precision farming technology in rural locales,” he concluded.
Author: Gloria
Photographer: Donnie