The 4th debate among the 2024 vice presidential candidates, held last Sunday (Jan. 21), sparked vibrant discussions.
With enthusiasm, the three vice presidential candidates, Muhaimin Iskandar, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Mahfud MD, deliberated on a spectrum of topics, spanning energy, natural resources, human resources, carbon tax, environmental and agricultural issues, and indigenous communities.
Amidst the discourse, agriculture emerged as a focal point, shedding light on potential solutions to fertilizer scarcity, particularly by adopting smart farming technology. But what exactly is smart farming?
According to Dr. Bayu Dwi Apri Nugroho, an observer of agriculture, agroclimatology, and climate change, smart farming encompasses developing technology-driven agricultural systems (Information Technology).
Drawing parallels with advancements in other sectors like transportation and education, Dr. Nugroho simplifies the concept by likening it to the proliferation of online transportation services and e-learning platforms.
Just as individuals can seamlessly access various transportation options via a smartphone app, smart farming integrates technology to optimize agricultural processes.
“In essence, these systems facilitate interactive communication akin to traditional classroom learning, a paradigm shift also evident in agriculture,” explained Dr. Nugroho at the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology on Wednesday (Jan. 24).
In his view, the agricultural sector remains a potent force for societal development, as underscored by its steadfast position as one of the top three pillars of the national economy alongside industry and trade, according to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
Government food policies represented in various agricultural development breakthrough programs aim primarily to achieve food sovereignty and improve the welfare of farmers and the general public.
Governmental initiatives and societal collaborations aim to fortify agricultural development, leveraging digital technology as a cornerstone.
“This digital revolution permeates both on-farm and off-farm processes,” he emphasized.
Bayu elucidated that mobile-based digital technology empowers farmers by providing swift access to crucial information on agricultural commodities, including pricing dynamics, seed and fertilizer availability, crop area insights, harvest forecasts, and platforms for farmer communities to gather.
He contends that smart farming holds promise in rekindling youth interest in agriculture, countering a decades-long decline in youth engagement in farming in favor of urban migration. Many of them prefer to migrate and work in cities in sectors other than agriculture, leaving only the older generation willing to work in the fields in rural areas.
As time and technology progress, agricultural problems can no longer be solved solely by relying on traditional systems passed down through generations.
“Smart farming emerges as a hope, intertwining soil and weather sensors with Agri Drone Sprayers (pesticide spraying agricultural drones), offering users real-time, precise data accessible via smartphones,” he elaborated.
Furthermore, Dr. Nugroho explained that data updates can be adjusted to the needs of farmers, for example, real-time updates every 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and so on. Meanwhile, sensors installed in agricultural land can warn if the soil or weather conditions are not optimal.
Not only do farmers receive data on land conditions, but they also receive recommendations on steps to prevent damage to their crops. The Agri Drone Sprayer will assist farmers in eradicating pests and diseases with more measured and precise pesticide use.
Dr. Nugroho believes this fusion of technology and agriculture not only enhances farmers’ welfare but also augments regions’ economic vitality, curbing rural-to-urban migration tendencies. It increases national food security, transforming Indonesian agriculture into a technology-driven domain.
He envisions agriculture evolving into “agri-cool-ture,” enticing youth back to rural landscapes and positioning smart farming as the linchpin of Indonesia’s agricultural future. The economic potential of regions will also increase because young people in villages are no longer inclined to leave the village and agriculture.
“This gives hope for national food security. With farmers, the future of Indonesian agriculture should already be technology-based smart farming,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Image: AgFunder News