“We often say that technology is expensive, but it’s not. Technology is an investment,”Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, has said that utilizing advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), weather sensors, and automated water systems is essential for building food security.
According to the minister, who is better known as Zulhas, the adoption of advanced technology must be seen as a long-term investment that can support the food security priority program.
“We often say that technology is expensive, but it’s not. Technology is an investment,” he said in Jakarta on Thursday.
He cited China as an example, highlighting the nation’s use of technology to develop its food reserve system. This push included expanding farmlands with the help of a smart farming system that integrates digital technologies and automation.
In addition, China has been using artificial intelligence to predict weather patterns and optimize land cultivation.
As a result, its crop yields have improved significantly. With planting technology, Chinese farmers can grow up to 10 tons of rice per hectare, compared to just around 5 tons without technology
Brazil is also using advanced seeding technology in sugar production, which has helped the country expand harvest cycles to up to 7–10 years.
“Once again, it’s because of technology,” he said.
Hasan noted that Indonesia is working to reduce its reliance on food imports. As part of this shift, the agriculture sector in Indonesia is gradually adopting technologies such as drones for fertilization and combine harvesters for rice cultivation.
“It’s still a long way off, but we have started developing ‘smart greenhouses,’ that can automatically regulate temperature, humidity, and watering,” he added.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Arie Novarina
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