Jakarta, INTI - A team of lecturers from Institut Teknologi Sumatera (Itera) introduced and demonstrated an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automatic fertigation system to Kelompok Tani Agro Lestari (Agro Lestari Farmers Group) in Labuan Ratu 7 Village, Labuan Ratu District, East Lampung on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
This technology is designed to automate the process of providing water and nutrients to plants precisely according to their needs. Through the use of IoT-based sensors and control systems, farmers can monitor and control the fertigation process more easily. The application of this technology is expected to increase crop productivity while reducing water, fertilizer use, and cultivation operational costs.
This mentoring activity is part of the Community Service Program funded by BIMA Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek).
The activity was led by Zunanik Mufidah, a lecturer in the Biosystems Engineering Study Program. The members included Suratun Nafisah (Electrical Engineering) and M. Gilang Indra Mardika (Civil Engineering). This interdisciplinary collaboration combined expertise in agricultural technology, control systems and electronics, and engineering to produce solutions tailored to farmers' needs.
Supporting Digital Transformation in Agriculture
Zunanik stated that the implementation of smart farming technology is a concrete step in driving digital transformation in the agricultural sector. Through the ongoing mentoring, Kelompok Tani Agro Lestari is expected to be able to adopt and operate the technology independently, thus creating a more efficient, productive, and sustainable cultivation system.
The dissemination activity was also attended by officials from local sub-district and village government as a support for the application of technological innovation in developing the agricultural sector in the region.
In addition to technology demonstrations, the community service team also provided technical assistance related to the operation, maintenance, and implementation of a smart farming system in melon cultivation.
As part of efforts to increase the added value of agricultural products, this activity also provided education for women from PKK (Family Welfare and Empowerment) Labuan Ratu 7 Village on processing and packaging melons into melon buckets.
This innovation is expected to increase the market value of melons while also opening up new business opportunities based on local products. The program's benefits extend not only to cultivation but also to increased community income.
Conclusion
A team of lecturers from Itera introduced an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automated fertigation system to the Agro Lestari Farmers Group in East Lampung to support the implementation of smart farming in melon cultivation. This technology enables precise water and nutrient delivery, which is expected to increase productivity while reducing water, fertilizer, and operational costs.
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