Boosting Crop Productivy

This article is adapted from Bisnis Indonesia-Weekend Edition

Published on: Oct 22, 2023

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Recent global climate change has affected the development of the agricultural sector. Unpredictable climate has decreased agricultural productivity and quality, ultimately impacting national food security.

Agricultural innovation is needed to improve efficiency and productivity by utilizing various technologies or smart farming to address this. Lukita Devy, the chairperson of the Advanced Technology Research Group for Horticultural Production at the Center for Horticulture and Plantation Research of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), stated that technological innovation in agriculture is crucial. Still, its utilization has yet to be maximized so far.

According to her, the application of smart farming technology is still limited to certain aspects and has yet to be implemented on a large scale. The most significant applications are in microclimate control (27%), irrigation and fertilization (18% each), land processing (14%), and pest management (4%), while the remaining percentage is allocated to transplanting, harvesting, and other applications.

At the district level, smart farming is starting to be implemented effectively. This is especially true with the government's program to digitize agriculture by providing tools to detect soil nutrient needs used rotationally.

"Millennial producers can be empowered to increase the adoption of smart farming technology in the community, as they are more open to accepting new technology, which, of course, must be validated through a series of tests," she explained.

According to her, several smart farming technologies can be developed, including precision agriculture related to inputs (water, fertilizers, and pest management). Furthermore, land preparation, lighting, microclimate control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling are essential components.

Devy emphasized that smart farming technology used in Indonesia must be tailored to local conditions, such as addressing limited land ownership through smart farming-based urban farming or indoor farming, which involves cultivating plants indoors. Additionally, the technology must be economical and environmentally friendly, accessible to all, including small-scale farmers who manage their operations communally in farmer groups. She stated, 'Smart farming applications need to consider aspects such as the type of agricultural commodities, business value prospects, and agroecology.'

Koltiva, established in 2013 as one of the startups developing smart farming applications, has played a pivotal role in assisting over 6,800 businesses and more than 1 million producers in 52 countries. The company extends its reach with customer service offices present in 14 countries.

Manfred Borer, CEO of Koltiva, stated that, in agriculture-based product tracking, they are creating breakthroughs through software development that provides traceability from seed to consumer. Through this traceability platform in the supply chain, companies can ensure transparent tracking of agricultural products from raw materials to farming operations and distribution to the hands of consumers.

He mentioned that this traceability platform has been used in various commodity industries such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, and others to comply with regulations, including the European Union Deforestation-Free Product Regulation (EUDR).

Additionally, Koltiva offers various features on its traceability technology platform (KoltiTrace, Traceability Platform), including the Supply Chain GHG Assessment, which assesses greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain. Through this application, detailed greenhouse gas emission information can be observed throughout the agricultural supply chain.

Furthermore, it includes monitoring land use changes and providing monitoring and evidence of a company's compliance with land use. Koltiva also offers a comprehensive web and mobile application to manage various farming activities, such as producer registration, surveys, farming transaction monitoring, deforestation mapping, and greenhouse gas emission measurements on plantations.

According to Manfred, Koltiva's agricultural solution technology is for corporate and multinational agribusiness and all actors in the supply chain, including retailers, traders, and farmers. For example, there is the FarmRetail application for agri-input distributors and stores/kiosks; traders can utilize the FarmGate application, while producers or farmers can use the FarmCloud application. Companies and producers can also use the KoltiTrace IoT application, which leverages IoT sensors to monitor temperature, air humidity, soil humidity, and environmental conditions in farming.

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Resources Writer: Rihlah Nahdhiyah

Rihlah Nahdhiyah, a skilled writer with a social media and copywriting background, excelled as a social media specialist at Koltiva, crafting captivating articles on products and producers stories for the company's blog, showcasing her unique ability to blend technical details with human narratives. Her strategic approach to social media has been instrumental in connecting with the audience, making her a promising talent in content creation.

Editor: Vega Welingutami

Vega Welingutami, is a seasoned Public Relations & Event expert with a strong background in the tech industry, particularly in AI companies, Logistics, Transportation, and Entertainment sectors. With extensive experience in creating impactful event conferences, Vega excels in engaging stakeholders and media to maximize the reach and success of each event. Vega's proficiency in public relations plays a pivotal role in her media approach at Koltiva.

Vega's expertise extends to crafting comprehensive media strategies to generate extensive coverage and buzz around events. By leveraging her deep understanding of the media landscape, she develops tailored communication plans, coordinates press releases, and facilitates media engagement before, during, and after events. This strategic approach helps maximize exposure and generate positive brand associations for all involved parties.