FARMERS need to be empowered with innovative technologies, so as to further develop agricultural cultivation, as Indonesia embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0 era).
The Regional Representatives Council (DPD), LaNyalla Mahmud Mattalitti, said this in a statement on Saturday, according to the Antara news agency.
"In this 4.0 era, agriculture must adapt to technology. Technology must be used in order to develop agricultural cultivation," he said adding the use of technology in the agricultural sector must be able to support the national agricultural development goals.
These include providing food for all Indonesians, increasing the welfare of farmers, and boosting exports, LaNyalla said.
"Technology must bring benefits, not only for the national agricultural development goals but also for farmers," he said and that one of the supporting factors that can boost marketing is product innovation, in terms of taste, shape, and size of products.
"In addition to opening new markets, innovation of a product also provides choices for consumers," he said.
LaNyalla voiced support for the development of commodity products, carried out by the technical implementation unit (UPT) of the Development of Agribusiness for Food Crops and Horticulture (PATPH) in Lebo Village, Sidoarjo District, East Java Province, where the unit had previously produced square-shaped and heart-shaped melons.
"With food technology, innovations can be made to produce various models, sizes, shapes, and flavors that can attract people and increase competitiveness," he said.
He also said that innovation continue to be developed, so that farmers can receive added value from using technology.