With the Digital Platform, Moeldoko Says the Current Way of Farming Doesn't Need to Depend on the Weather

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko (Special)

JAKARTA – Chief of Presidential Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko said that farming currently does not have to depend on the weather and nature. New ways of farming using digital platforms will improve farmers' welfare.

Through modern technology, Indonesian farmers can regulate and ensure their agricultural products so that the quality of their crops is maintained.

"This is a form of Neo Marhaen as envisioned by President Soekarno long ago," said Moeldoko when meeting with young Indonesians who were developing new agricultural technology, at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, Monday, September 11.

In the current era, Marhaen has been manifested by youth movements. Where they conduct research, create production tools through an online platform, and utilize a plot of land, to improve the agricultural sector and farmers' welfare.

“So I dare to call it the Neo Marhaen concept. "The concept is for young people who want to change Indonesia, who want to no longer depend on other countries, who want no more imports from other countries," stressed Moeldoko, who is also the General Chair of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI).

Apart from introducing farming methods using technology through the Meta Farming digital platform, the arrival of these young people is also in the context of declaring the Indonesian Farmers' Forward Movement.

Erwin Gunawan, one of the founders of the movement, said that the Indonesian Farmers' Forward Movement is determined to advance agriculture with technology and innovation, empower the young generation in the world of agriculture, preserve sustainable agriculture, and overcome the world food crisis and domestic food security. "Our main goal is to produce 10 million digital farmers before the end of 2024," he said.

Apart from introducing farming methods using technology through the Meta Farming digital platform, the arrival of these young people is also in the context of declaring the Indonesian Farmers' Forward Movement.

Erwin Gunawan, one of the founders of the movement, said that the Indonesian Farmers' Forward Movement is determined to advance agriculture with technology and innovation, empower the young generation in the world of agriculture, preserve sustainable agriculture, and overcome the world food crisis and domestic food security. "Our main goal is to produce 10 million digital farmers before the end of 2024," he said.

This movement, he continued, started out of concern about the food crisis that occurred in many countries, including Indonesia. "Therefore, we are trying to get young people interested in becoming farmers, because the problem of the food crisis and the continuing decline in the number of farmers is not only the government's responsibility but also our collective responsibility," added Erwin.

At the end of the event, the guests present proclaimed Moeldoko as the Father of the Indonesian Farmers' Progress Movement. They did this because they saw Moeldoko's track record, who really understands the world of agriculture and pays great attention to the welfare of farmers in Indonesia.