"Agriculture in Indonesia has the potential to be developed by utilizing digital technology to increase production profits," Director General of Informatics Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Samuel Abrijani Pengerapan, stated during the harvest event of the Digital Farmer Movement 4.0 in Central Lombok, Thursday.
The ministry noted that there are 130 million internet users in Indonesia, with almost 50 percent of them being youngsters. The data shows that digital applications can improve the economy of millennial farmers.
This aligns with the increasing need for food and beverages during the COVID-19 pandemic that motivates food producers to seize the opportunity to hone their technological skills in the agricultural sector.
"To help adapt to the use of technology, farmers and fishermen are facilitated to utilize digital technology," Pengerapan stated.
The facilitation to utilize digital technology is found through training and counseling for farmers. The programs are expected to help farmers boost their productivity.
Assistant II of the Central Lombok Regional Secretariat, H. Masnun, stated that agriculture was the most strategic sector during the pandemic.
"Rice production in Central Lombok is sufficient to meet the needs of the community," Masnun stated.
With training in digital technology, farmers are expected to develop more advanced farming to solve problems without relying on other parties for increasing production.
"We are applying digital technology that is driven by the millennial farmers. They have creative ideas in improving agriculture," Masnun added. (INE) Related news: Minister supports smart farming program for millennial farmers
Related news: Agriculture Minister urges millennial farmers to use technology
Translator: Akhyar R, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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