Moeldoko's Message At The HKTI National Working Meeting: Indonesian Agriculture Must Be Smart And Digital-Based

Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) Moeldoko. (Photo: Doc. HKTI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) Dr. Moeldoko emphasized that the government continues to encourage digital-based agriculture to increase the added value of Indonesian agricultural commodities.

"The era of digitalization is a good opportunity to increase the added value of agricultural commodities in Indonesia," said Moeldoko when opening the HKTI National Working Meeting, in Jakarta, Saturday, July 2.

According to Moeldoko, industrial technology 4.0 supported by robots and artificial intelligence has made the agricultural process easier. In addition, he said, agricultural management starting from seeds, fertilizers, post-harvest is getting better, and the results are also getting more profitable.

Moeldoko said that the challenge for the agricultural sector today is the decreasing number of agricultural entrepreneurs. On the other hand, population growth continues to increase. This condition, he assessed, could lead to a food crisis.

"Moreover, we are currently facing the threat of climate change and Russia-Ukraine geopolitics. If we don't move, the food supply chain will be cut off," he said.

Moeldoko also emphasized the importance of the millennial generation having a new view of agriculture, that farming is a cool profession. Currently, he said, being a farmer doesn't always have to be dirty, muddy, and confusing.

Moeldoko also invited all HKTI administrators and members in the regions to strengthen and develop agriculture with an information technology approach. So according to him, agriculture has an attraction for the younger generation and millennials.

"HKTI as a strategic partner of the government must be present to answer that challenge. It is time for us to create smart and digital-based Indonesian agriculture," concluded Moeldoko.