Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo highlighted the need for innovation and technology to develop the agricultural sector in 2022, while technology-based modern agricultural systems and tools will determine the achievement of future food production targets.
“Agriculture is impossible without technology and innovation. Agriculture must be able to adapt (to technology) to achieve the target. In future, climate change will also be a challenge, and we cannot respond to this challenge without technology,” Minister Limpo noted in a written statement on Thursday.
In his remarks at the evaluation meeting on the Results of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities Development in Sentul, Bogor, Limpo affirmed that the use of agricultural mechanization, unmanned tractors, drones, rice planting robots, and other Artificial Intelligence-based digital technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) will become the direction for development policies in the agricultural sector and drive this sector to become more competitive on the global stage.
“Indonesia’s natural wealth is truly extraordinary, ranging from water and sun to soil. I am optimistic that if our agriculture would be managed properly, then Indonesia would definitely be able to rank among the top 10 best countries,” according to Limpo.
Director General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP) at the ministry, Ali Jamil, lauded all parties for having supported the activities of the PSP Directorate. Based on the budget ceiling of the directorate in 2022, agricultural infrastructure and facilities are still a priority in agricultural development for the future.
“The total budget allocated to the directorate general shows that providing and developing agricultural infrastructure and facilities is still a top priority for the nation’s agricultural development in future,” he affirmed.
The ministry lauded the work units and regents for having established Regional Regulations for the Protection of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) and also the related stakeholders to People’s Business Credit (KUR), Rice Farmer Business Insurance (AUTP), and Cattle Business Insurance (AUTSK).
“This is a form of appreciation for regions that have established LP2B,” Jamil noted.
Source: Antara News