Key Takeaways
- Zulkifli Hasan emphasizes technology as a long-term investment for food security in Indonesia.
- Citing examples from China and Brazil, he highlights the impact of advanced technology on agricultural productivity.
- Indonesia is beginning to embrace technologies like drones and smart greenhouses to enhance its agriculture sector.
Embracing Technology for Food Security
Jakarta’s Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stressed the necessity of utilizing advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), weather sensors, and automated water systems, to achieve food security in Indonesia. He believes that viewing technology as a costly expense overlooks its potential as a strategic investment for the future.
Hasan referenced China’s successful implementation of modern technology in agriculture as a model. China has significantly enhanced its food reserve system by integrating smart farming solutions that incorporate digital technologies and automation. Notably, AI is used to forecast weather patterns and enhance land cultivation, leading to remarkable crop yield improvements. For example, farmers in China now achieve yields of up to 10 tons of rice per hectare, compared to the approximately 5 tons typically produced without such advancements.
Brazil’s agricultural sector also exemplifies the benefits of technology, particularly in sugar production, where advanced seeding techniques have extended harvest cycles to between seven and ten years.
In Indonesia, efforts are underway to reduce dependence on food imports by gradually implementing technological solutions in agriculture. Hasan mentioned the initial steps being taken, such as deploying drones for fertilization and using combine harvesters for rice cultivation.
The minister acknowledged that while the journey is ongoing, the introduction of ‘smart greenhouses’ represents a significant technological leap. These greenhouses are designed to automatically manage temperature, humidity, and watering conditions to optimize plant growth.
Overall, Hasan’s message underscores the critical role of technology in enhancing agricultural efficiency and securing Indonesia’s food future.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.
