Preventing Harvest Failure with Technology: Agrinas Utilises Satellites

In an effort to maintain food self-sufficiency, Bustanul Arifin, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Agricultural Economics Association (PERHEPI), highlighted several key factors, including the importance of improving farmer welfare. PERHEPI notes that land rental costs and labour expenses remain burdensome production costs for farmers trying to increase output. Furthermore, price certainty, new agricultural technology, and superior seeds are factors that can boost productivity, pointing to Vietnam’s success as an example.

Meanwhile, Joao Mota, President Director of Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, revealed the company’s strategy to drive agricultural productivity through intensification and extensification. In the short term, Agrinas is promoting intensification via modernisation and technology such as satellites to help ensure successful harvests and prevent crop failure. Agrinas also provides mechanisation equipment, from soil tillage tools, tractors, and harvesters to post-harvest storage facilities, aiming to achieve local food self-sufficiency. Farmers are also encouraged to play a role in production to attract young farmers.

On the other hand, Bahtiar, President Director of Rumah Tani, stated that food extensification and intensification efforts are necessary to increase agricultural production. However, he cautioned that these policies must be balanced with efforts to strengthen market access, logistics, and the food processing industry (downstreaming) to prevent oversupply.