Such a transformation can reduce production costs by up to 50 percent and increase production by up to 100 percent.
"We are creating clusters from upstream to downstream, all made using high technology. We are doing it now," Sulaiman informed at the "Accelerating Indonesia's Economic Growth: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Era" event in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sulaiman said that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently developing modern agricultural clusters in several regions, such as Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, and South Papua.
According to the minister, the clusters are comparable with those in other countries pursuing modern agriculture, such as the United States, Vietnam, China, and Thailand.
The government is targeting to carry out agricultural transformation on up to 1 million hectares of farmland this year. Sulaiman said he believes that modern agricultural clusters will help Indonesia become a world food barn.
Sulaiman then pointed to the extraordinary potential of agricultural land in Papua. According to him, this potential can be optimized by adopting a holistic approach, fully mechanized farming, or utilizing high technology from upstream to downstream.
"In Merauke, there was land that used to be dormant, we optimize it and revitalize it. Then, if we want it to be sustainable, use technology. If not, it will surely be abandoned," he said.
He further highlighted the importance of involving the younger generation as farmers in modern agricultural clusters.
He said that the number of young people who have registered for the Self-Sufficiency Brigade has reached 27 thousand. This large number shows that modern agriculture is promising, considering the high-income potential.
"Millennials are involved if it's profitable and uses high technology. How profitable? In Merauke, they can earn Rp20 million, and our target is Rp10 million per month net. In Aceh, they earn Rp20 million and this is our fellow citizens," he said.
"They get involved, they participate. The testimonies are there," he added.
Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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