Klaten, 14 April 2021 -- PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) continues its support for the efforts to accelerate and move the community’s economic life, especially in the agricultural sector, particularly for young farmers. The digital approach applied will target young farmers through the Millennial Smartfarming Program which this time has touched the second location, namely Klaten Regency, Central Java.
The Smartfarming Millennial Program is a Millennial Empowerment Ecosystem through Fostering & Development of Digital Agriculture (IoT) ecosystem from upstream to downstream as well as increasing Village Financial Inclusion. The Kick off for the Millennial Smartfarming program began in Cicalengka Sub-Regency, Bandung Regency, West Java in early March.
The second implementation of the Smartfarming Millennial Program was held in Sidowayah Village, Polanharjo Sub-Regency, Klaten Regency, Central Java, Wednesday (14 April 2021). A series of activities were carried out in this activity, namely a coaching clinic for millennial farmers regarding the use of the Agree Suites application for farmer and offtaker data collection. Young farmers are also trained to use weather and soil sensors as part of BNI's CSR.
After the coaching clinic, it was followed by a symbolic mass fertilization action. The entire series of activities is carried out by implementing strict health protocol standard. BNI’s role in this activity is to provide access to finance through People’s Business Credit (KUR) for Farmers. In addition, millennial farmers are provided with assistance in utilizing digital technology and information on agricultural ecosystem activities, as well as fostering Offtakers’s role in the absorption of agricultural products.
Attending this occasion were the Regent of Klaten, Sri Mulyani, BNI’s Institutional Relations Director, Sis Apik WIjayanto, the Senior Project Manager for Agrosolution of PT Pupuk Indonesia, Supriyoto, the Head of the Central Java Provincial Agriculture Office, Suryo Banendro, as well as millennial farmer representatives of farmer groups in Klaten Regency.
The Governor of Central Java explained in his remarks, the large role of technology in agricultural products made him expect a lot of the younger generation. The Governor is grateful that currently there are many young farmers involved in the application of digital technology in agricultural cultivation and it is hoped that this can be a big leap for the agricultural sector, especially Central Java. "We don't need to import commodities, which are our advantages. I hope this program can be well guarded together and the achievement of modern reforms in the world of agriculture," he concluded.
Meanwhile, Sis Apik Wijayanto explained, Klaten Regency is unique in that, Klaten is the center for producing Rojolele rice which is the original variety of Klaten or can be called Delanggu rice which is known to be more delicious than other regional rice because it is believed to be grown in land and water that other regions do not have. "The role of Bumdes in this village also adds to our optimism that this program can be carried out well. However, what is no less important is the role of millennials," said Sis.
Choose to Farm
The role of millennials in the existing ecosystem has been seen with the presence of Rangga, a young man born in 1990 who decided to quit his job at an oil and gas consulting company. Rangga decided to open his own business which is engaged in agro-industry, to be precise liquid fertilizer made from algae. This liquid fertilizer which is named Chloten functions to replace NPK fertilizer which can provide plant resistance so that it is not susceptible to disease.
On the same occasion, Gatot Subroto, one of the millennial farmers who present was optimistic. He said, "We feel challenged to carry out this program and are optimistic that if this technology is used optimally, the next harvest can be increased".
The application of agricultural applications and technology is very important because in addition to data collection, it can also connect farmers with other partners, including offtakers, cooperatives and Village-Owned Enterprises (BumDes). Digitization of the agricultural system in Indonesia is indeed very beneficial for all parties, especially if it is supported by all parties, not only farmers, but also related stakeholde.
On the same occation, the Head of Bank BNI's Small Business Division 2, Bambang Setyatmojo, conveyed that the realization of KUR in the agricultural sector that had been distributed during 2021 to March amounted to IDR 2 trillion and touched 50 thousand KUR recipients throughout Indonesia.
For more information, please contact:
BNI Corporate Secretary
Phone: 021-5728387
Email: bni@bni.co.id