On the sidelines of the 2017 CSR program launch, Telkomsel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two young local startups: Habibi Garden and Eragano. Both are partnered to develop PETANI, a digital agriculture program (e-agriculture) aimed at empowering farmer communities in Indonesia from upstream to downstream through the utilization of technology, especially cellular and Internet of Things (IoT).
The FARM solution will combine the power of Telkomsel’s stable network in various agricultural or plantation locations. It is supported by Habibi Garden’s ability to monitor real-time plant conditions. As well as Eragano in developing digital agricultural solutions from upstream to downstream for household farmers by presenting agricultural experts and mentoring by utilizing the digital platform. This solution is ultimately expected to increase farmer productivity, reduce costs, and minimize the possibility of failure to plant.
For this phase of digital agriculture pilot project, PETANI will be implemented in South Lampung for chili commodities and in Garut, West Java for potato commodities with the total area of land that cultivated to reach nine hectares. This program involves more than two groups of farmers by applying automation system on irrigation mechanism, fertilization, and light intensity, and the use of 560 units of ground sensor reader.
“We are proud to cooperate with sons and daughters of the nation who have a goal to advance Indonesia through the use of technology. More special because both are graduates of The NextDev program that we hold, “said President Director of Telkomsel Ririek Adriansyah on the sidelines of the opening event along with the media held at Telkomsel Smart Office, Jakarta (19/6).
For information, Habibi Garden is one of three winners at 2016 The Next Dev startup contest. Habibi Garden is an Internet of Things (IoT) precision agriculture that allows users to communicate with plants. The digital agriculture platform was developed by a team consisting of the urban gardener, ground researcher, automation engineer, and farmer.
Habibi Garden can feed the plant with the right dosage based on the collected soil condition data. The state of the plant can be monitored anytime and anywhere directly from the smartphone. Use of Habibi Garden can increase productivity, reduce costs and minimize the possibility of failure to plant.
Meanwhile, Eragano is a startup that provides solutions from upstream to downstream in the agricultural sector. They can sell agricultural equipment and fertilizers, harvest, provide a rice management system, to lend to farmers. This startup is one of the 20 finalists of The Next Dev 2016 and last year has earned initial funding from East Ventures.