Jakarta, suaradewata.com — The government continues to promote the use of sustainable agricultural technology as a key strategy to achieve national food self-sufficiency. This effort is evident in the synergy between innovation development in universities and the transformation of the agricultural sector in the regions, both of which emphasize the use of digital technology and modern mechanization.
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, during a working visit to Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW) in Salatiga, Central Java, reviewed various student innovations focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to support the agricultural sector.
During the visit, the Vice President directly observed research results in the form of AI-based soil sensors and smart farming systems developed across faculties at UKSW.
During the inspection, Gibran emphasized the crucial role of universities in developing appropriate technology that can be directly implemented by the public, particularly farmers. He believes digital technology integration is key to increasing national agricultural efficiency and productivity.
“Innovations like this are essential to achieving food self-sufficiency. The use of AI is no longer just a trend, but a necessity to make our agricultural sector more efficient and modern,” said Gibran.
The Vice President emphasized that the government will continue to encourage collaboration between academia and industry so that research results do not stop in the laboratory but can be translated into practical applications and have a real impact on society.
Meanwhile, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government is also relying on technology-based agricultural sector transformation to achieve its food self-sufficiency target by 2026.
East Kalimantan Deputy Governor Seno Aji explained that farmers were able to harvest around 6.8 tons on a 10-hectare pilot plot in Bukit Biru. This yield was achieved through the use of modern agricultural technologies, including mechanization, technology-based land mapping, and drone fertilization.
“This proves our capabilities. We just need to expedite CPCL data collection, field verification, and then SID, and then immediately establish the rice field layout,” he said.
This step was taken to address the challenges of labor shortages and the vast agricultural land area in East Kalimantan. Digital and mechanical transformation is also seen as a strategic way to attract younger generations to the agricultural sector, as food demand increases, particularly with the arrival of the Indonesian capital city (IKN).