The main indicator of smart villages is when villages conduct data-based development and serve the community with (the use of) information technology
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The development of digital-based smart villages can open up opportunities and encourage independence in governance in villages, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head, Laksana Tri Handoko, stated.

"Even in remote areas, as long as there is connectivity, they will also get the same opportunities," Handoko remarked at the webinar "Building Digital-Based Smart Villages" here on Wednesday.

According to Handoko, BRIN has the capacity to continue to improve research, development, evaluation, application, inventions, and innovations to contribute to scientific advancements not only in the form of policy recommendations but also its implementation.

He explained that scientific developments also encompassed the democratic development of regions being conducted through good governance, effectively executing programs, and encouraging the independence of villages through civilized innovation.

Digitalization will help close the gap in opportunities and access between cities and villages, he affirmed.

In supporting the digitalization of villages, BRIN promotes the community-based accurate data collection system at the village level.

"This data precision complements the existing data collection system while ensuring faster and more accurate data updates," he explained.

On the same occasion, Research Professor in Politics and Government, R. Siti Zuhro, said the development of digital-based smart villages offers civil education, thereby increasing villagers' participation and awareness.

Zuhro highlighted that it also improves the quality of public services through smart local governance, boosts the communities' economic creativity based on science and technology, pushes the society to maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle and environment, as well as develops the values of local arts and cultural heritage sustainably.

Currently, there are 233 smart villages across the country, Head of the Information and Development Agency at the Villages, Disadvantaged Areas, and Transmigration Ministry, Ivanovich Agusta, noted.

"The main indicator of smart villages is when villages conduct data-based development and serve the community with (the use of) information technology," Agusta stated.

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Translator: Zubi M, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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