APPLICATION
OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND FOOD
SECURITY
Harun Rasyid1, Gumoyo Mumpuni Ningsih2
Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
�[email protected]1, [email protected]2
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ABSTRACT
Food security is an important global issue to overcome. The increasing
world population and climate change bring new challenges to ensuring the
availability of sufficient and nutritious Food. Sustainable agriculture offers
solutions to increase productivity and Food security while preserving the
environment. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of
implementing sustainable agricultural technology in increasing agricultural
productivity and food security in an area or community. This study used
qualitative research methods. The data collection technique in this research is
a literature study. The data that has been collected is then analyzed in three
stages, namely data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The research
results show that sustainable agricultural technology can increase productivity
and Food security. Farmers who apply sustainable agricultural technology
generally produce higher yields and are more resistant to pests and disease.
However, its implementation still needs challenges, such as limited access to
technology and knowledge, high costs, and lack of policy support.
Keywords: Agricultural
Technology, Productivity, Food Security.
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Corresponding Author: Harun
Rasyid
E-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Food is an essential need that every individual must
fulfil. Food access is recognized as one of the human rights, as described in
Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution and the 1996 Rome Declaration (Tampubolon, 2022). Food is often associated with rice in Indonesia as
the dominant staple. Past events, such as the spike in rice prices during the
1997/1998 economic crisis, have demonstrated its profound impact on food
security and caused social insecurity that threatened economic and national
stability.
The government consistently strives to improve food
security by increasing domestic production. This is becoming increasingly
important for Indonesia, given the increasing population growth and widespread
population distribution across the region (Arif et al., 2020). To ensure that the population's food needs are met,
Indonesia must ensure sufficient and equitable food availability, both for
direct consumption and for adequate national stocks by the needs of vast and
dispersed logistics.�
The definition of food security is also regulated in
Law No. 18/2012 on Food, which explains that food security includes the
availability of sufficient Food both in terms of quantity and quality, safe,
diverse, nutritious, equitable, affordable, and by the religious values,
beliefs, and culture of the community, enabling them to live healthy, active,
and productive lives sustainably (Rijaya & Munandar, 2020).
Sustainable agriculture has become the go-to solution
for improving productivity and food security without compromising environmental
sustainability. The concept emphasizes agricultural practices that focus on the
efficient use of natural resources, waste reduction, and ecosystem
preservation. By adopting sustainable farming practices such as the use of
organic fertilizers, natural pest and disease control, and crop rotation,
farmers can increase their yields without harming the environment. In addition,
this approach also encourages crop diversification so that people have access
to a variety of nutritious and balanced foods.
Previous research (Sihombing, 2022) showed that appropriate and location-specific
technology includes mapping of land capability and suitability, commodity
ranking, farming analysis, optimization of land use, agrotechnology
application, integrated agriculture, provision of agricultural production
inputs, infrastructure improvement, empowerment assistance training, technology
development, control of agricultural land conversion, and institutional
arrangements. The application of this technology is positively correlated with
food security, especially in farmer households, where farmers who apply
technological innovations have a better level of food security than farmers who
do not.
Another study (Abdullah &
Vaulina, 2023) found that alternative agricultural technology
innovations that can help improve food security in Indonesia through
sustainable agriculture include vertical farming, biofortification technology,
intelligent irrigation systems, soil-less agricultural cultivation, and big
data technology. Then, several ways of optimizing agrarian spatial planning can
help improve food security in Indonesia through sustainable agriculture, namely
developing productive agricultural land, structuring agricultural areas, regulating
agricultural land conversion, agribusiness integration, and production
diversification.
The results of this study can strengthen the argument
that sustainable agricultural practices are not only beneficial to agricultural
productivity but can also promote environmental and social sustainability. The
theoretical implications can help develop theories and concepts related to
sustainable agriculture and support efforts to encourage wider adoption of such
practices in various agricultural contexts. This research aims to evaluate the
effectiveness and impact of sustainable agriculture technologies in improving
agricultural productivity and food security in a region or community.
METHOD
This research uses
qualitative research methods. According to (Moleong, 2017), qualitative research refers to a study that aims to
comprehensively understand phenomena related to what is experienced by research
subjects, such as behaviour, perceptions, motivations, actions, and other
aspects. This research describes the phenomenon using words and language in a
natural context or by actual conditions and using various natural methods. The
data collection technique in this research is a literature study. A literature
study is a method that includes searching, selecting, and analyzing various
sources of information published previously related to the research topic. Data
that is relevant and related to the research problem is obtained from books,
scientific journals, articles, research reports, official documents, and other
documented sources. The type of data used in this research is secondary
research obtained from Google Scholar. The data that has been collected is then
analyzed in three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation, and
conclusion drawing.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The
agricultural sector is still a vital part of Indonesia's national development.
The country has a large land area, providing opportunities for people to depend
on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods. However, it is essential to
note that the agrarian or agricultural sector is a source of livelihood for the
population and a key driver of economic growth (Kusumaningrum, 2019). Agriculture in Indonesia provides Food for the people and
contributes significantly to the national economy. Various agricultural
subsectors, such as food crop agriculture, plantations, livestock, and
fisheries, positively impact the Indonesian economy.
The role of
the agricultural sector in the economy of a country or region can be seen from
several perspectives. First, the agricultural sector's contribution to Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reflects how
much the sector contributes to economic value. Second, the agricultural sector
provides significant employment opportunities for the community, making it one
of the primary sources of employment. Third, the ability of the agricultural
sector to provide a diverse diet influences people's consumption patterns and
nutrition. Fourth, the agricultural sector also supports the development of
upstream and downstream industries by providing raw materials and serving as a
market for industrial products. Fifth, exporting agricultural products
contributes to foreign exchange (Isbah & Iyan, 2016).
The role of
the agricultural sector in a country is so significant that it is essential to
ensure that agricultural productivity remains high. Agricultural productivity
refers to the total amount produced per unit area harvested in a given period,
such as a semester or quarter. This productivity measurement is usually done in
kilograms per hectare (Kg/Ha). In agricultural economics, productivity is the
ratio between the expected yield at harvest time and the costs incurred to
achieve that yield. In other words, agricultural productivity reflects the
efficiency of the agricultural effort. This efficiency is closely related to
achieving desired yields at minimal cost. When the yield obtained at harvest
time exceeds the production costs incurred, the farm is considered productive
or efficient (Rahman & Octaviani, 2021).
Improving
agricultural productivity has become a significant focus of efforts to
strengthen food security and address the challenges of rapid population growth.
One of the approaches adopted is sustainable agriculture, which emphasizes
farming practices that aim to increase production and consider resource use
efficiency, environmental conservation, and long-term sustainability (Siregar, 2023). Experts suggest that sustainable agriculture is essential
because Food is relevant for the present and future generations.
There are
problems currently faced by farmers in Indonesia, including weather instability
that affects crop productivity, lack of knowledge about agricultural
technology, difficulty in adopting new technological developments as the
majority of farmers have low education levels, and lack of adequate
arrangements in the distribution of agricultural products (KANISA, 2023). In the face of these challenges, humans need to continue to
develop, and one of the solutions to this problem is to apply innovative
agricultural technology. The application of innovative technologies in
agriculture has a crucial role in increasing the productivity of agricultural
businesses, which in turn can improve the welfare of life and strengthen food
security. This can be achieved through the development of farming patterns that
are based on the principles of sustainable agriculture (Sihombing, 2022).
Sustainable
agriculture is a concept that is inseparable from the use of technology.
Sustainable agriculture has three main aspects: social, economic, and
ecological. This technology must have the ability to increase the added value,
competitiveness, and profitability of agricultural products (Kuntariningsih & Mariyono,
2014). Development in the agricultural sector is significant,
especially in the industrial era 4.0, which features automated machines
connected to the internet. The agricultural sector must adapt to 4.0 technology
to meet the needs of a growing population by implementing the concept of
agriculture 4.0, where it is expected that the agricultural sector will
actively use digital technology in its development process (KANISA, 2023). �
Innovations
combining agricultural practices with technology are Precision agriculture,
precision farming, and digital farming. These three terms refer to agricultural
systems that use technology to monitor crop needs and growth precisely and
automatically. The application of this technology is believed to increase crop
productivity by 300%, reduce water consumption by 50%, and save fertilizer use
by 70% compared to conventional methods. This system can be applied to various
types of land, weather conditions, and topography (Saraan & Rambe, 2023). In research conducted by (Sihombing, 2022), the application of innovative technology in designing
agricultural systems is seen in several aspects:
1.
Tillage
Tillage
technology includes the application of ameliorants to improve soil fertility
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Amelioration can be done using various
materials such as dolomite, kaptan, zeolite, manure, and husk ash. In addition,
efficient fertilization technology is applied by applying organic matter during
tillage for quality and optimal yields.
2.
Balanced
fertilization
Balanced
fertilization involves using SRF plus compound fertilizer that combines
inorganic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and biofertilizers. This aims to
provide a balanced plant fertilizer and maintain soil fertility.
3.
Drip
irrigation
Drip
irrigation is a method of applying water by dripping water through pipes around
the plants. This method results in efficient water use as only part of the root
zone is wetted. However, the added water can be absorbed quickly in low soil
moisture conditions. Drip irrigation can be differentiated based on the type of
water dripping, such as seeping, dripping, or gushing through holes in the
lateral pipes.
4.
Pest and
disease control
Technological
innovations include using environmentally friendly pesticides such as
biopesticides or biological pesticides. These pesticides can control plant pest
organisms but break down faster and have low toxicity to animals. Some
biological pesticides developed include vegetable pesticides from neem seeds or
leaves, brotowali, tegari, sambiloto, and tobacco stem waste.
Research (Febrianti et al., 2021) added that progress in agriculture can be achieved through
technology that leads to innovations. Mobile technology is one of the
developments in agricultural technology that farmers can utilize. Mobile
technology is one of the latest agricultural innovations that allows farmers to
access information quickly. Farmers can obtain information about agricultural
commodities through mobile technology and available information services. This
helps farmers save time in finding information such as seed prices, crop area,
harvest predictions, and other matters related to agricultural activities. In
addition, mobile technology also allows farmers to estimate prices in the
market more accurately because the difference between field conditions and the
data obtained is similar.
Applying
sustainable agriculture technology has significant benefits in improving
productivity and food security. Compared to conventional agriculture,
sustainable agriculture uses less water and energy, improves soil nutrient
balance, reduces production costs, increases community participation, and is
environmentally friendly. This proves sustainable agriculture can provide
better results without sacrificing environmental sustainability (Rosalina, 2022). Farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural technologies
generally achieve greater yields and crops more resistant to pests and
diseases. So, sustainable agricultural technology has a positive impact on
increasing agricultural productivity. It plays a vital role in supporting food
security.
Innovations
in agricultural technology are primarily aimed at simplifying farming
processes. However, their implementation depends on the ability of farmers to
adopt these innovations. However, several challenges are faced in implementing
these innovations, such as limited access to technology and knowledge. In the
current era of modernization, many people still need to fully optimize
available facilities due to a need for knowledge and information. Despite
advances in agricultural technology, farmland management could be more
effective, causing problems to be identified (Savira et al., 2020).
To address
the first challenge, the limited knowledge of farmers, the government must
provide training and mentoring to use the technology effectively and
sustainably. This education and training can be provided through extension
services by individuals with an education in the field. Field extension
officers are vital in introducing agricultural technology innovations to
farmers. Their role is not only limited to introducing technology to farmers
but also involves increasing the capacity of farmers to be independent in
running their agricultural businesses (Fatchiya & Amanah, 2016). With proper counselling and mentoring, farmers can understand
and implement technology effectively, thereby increasing the productivity and
sustainability of their farms.
One of the
other constraints is the high costs associated with farm modernization.
Agricultural modernization requires farmers to incur significant costs to start
their farming business. All of this requires considerable funds, in contrast to
previous farming systems. All these expenses are required to implement new
technologies in agriculture for farmers (Rinardi et al., 2019). To overcome the high-cost constraints associated with
agricultural modernization, the government can facilitate access to affordable
financing for farmers. One way this can be done is by private and Islamic banks
providing credit to farmers. Financing generally refers to the funding used to
support planned investments by themselves or other parties (Rahayu, 2015).
Such
financing aims to increase agricultural productivity, allowing farmers to
increase their production power. In other words, access to finance allows
farmers to expand their farming businesses by obtaining the necessary funds to
implement new technologies and modernization in farming practices. This will
help reduce the cost burden borne by farmers themselves and facilitate the
development of more sustainable and productive agriculture. Researchers have
found that providing credit to farmers positively impacts agricultural
production output per hectare after receiving financing. Agricultural finance,
whether in the form of conventional credit or otherwise, has contributed
significantly to the rural economy by providing capital to farmers to make new
investments or adopt new agricultural technologies (Basyariah, 2022).
Another
constraint in applying technology in agriculture is the lack of policy support
that can encourage the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies. To
address this, the government must develop policies supporting the transition
towards sustainable agriculture. According to (Arifin et al., 2023), government policies should be designed to incentivize and
support farmers. Hence, they are more likely to adopt sustainable agricultural
practices. One way this can be done is by providing financial incentives or
subsidies to farmers who implement sustainable practices. This can help offset
the initial investment costs required to implement new technologies in
agriculture. In addition, creating and expanding markets for sustainable and
organic products is also very important. This can be done through marketing
support and certification programs that promote these products to consumers.
Following increased demand and higher prices for sustainable products, farmers
will earn greater profits, which in turn will encourage them to adopt
sustainable farming practices more widely.
Based on
these findings, the use of sustainable agricultural technologies has the
potential to improve agricultural productivity and food security. These
positive impacts are crucial for advancing the agricultural sector in
Indonesia. Nonetheless, several constraints still need to be addressed for
these benefits to be fully realized. Focusing on the challenges faced in
implementing sustainable agricultural technologies is essential to ensure that
the positive potential of such technologies can be optimally realized, thereby
making a significant contribution to the country's economic growth.
CONCLUSION
The implementation of sustainable
agricultural technologies has a positive impact on productivity and food
security. Farmers who adopt these technologies tend to obtain more abundant
yields and are more resilient to pest and disease attacks. However, despite its
significant benefits, implementing sustainable agricultural technologies is
still faced with various challenges. Among these are limited access to the
necessary technology and knowledge, high implementation costs, and a need for
more policy support from relevant parties. These challenges must be considered
to expand the implementation of sustainable agricultural technologies to
maximize their potential and sustainably increase productivity and food
security.
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