Jakarta, INTI – Amid the challenge of increasing agricultural productivity and reducing fertilizer costs, the government is expanding the use of technology-based solutions as a new path forward. This was shown when Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid visited the national pilot model for applying the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture on Wednesday,November,5,2025, at Padas Village and Jetak Village, Sragen Regency. Through the “Tani Digital” program, Meutya explained that sensor-based automation in farming areas has been proven to reduce operational costs, improve product quality, and lower carbon emissions at the same time.
Better Fertilizer Efficiency, Higher Product Quality
Meutya explained that within six months of trials, simple IoT usage helped reduce fertilizer consumption by 40–50 percent. In addition, the quality of melons harvested in the trial was noticeably sweeter because fertilization and irrigation were carried out more precisely based on plant condition data from sensors. The data also shows that IoT-based farming increased melon harvest productivity by up to 26 percent and raised farmers’ income by up to 44 percent.
IoT Helps Keep Soil and Nature Healthier
Besides having economic benefits, this technology is also believed to provide better long-term environmental impact. Menkomdigi stressed that IoT automation in controlling temperature, water, fertilization, and soil moisture will help maintain soil ecosystems to stay healthy and sustainable. This approach also saves up to 45 percent of labor use and improves water efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Conclusion
The application of IoT in Sragen is concrete evidence that digital technology is not only relevant for big cities, but also delivers real impact for rural farmers. If this ecosystem is expanded, Indonesia’s agricultural digital transformation can progress faster, become more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
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