Getting Farmers Online-savvy

The importance of Indonesia’s agriculture sector is reflected, among others, by the sector’s 13.8 percent contribution to the total gross domestic product, according to February 2017 data from the Central Statistics Agency. In spite of agriculture’s significance to the Indonesian economy, our farmers are still far from prosperous. The government is now encouraging the growth of agriculture startups to improve the welfare of farmers, in line with the government’s plan to make Indonesia the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia by 2022. Agriculture startup companies, referred to as ‘agritech’ or ‘ag-tech’ companies, are now starting to sprout. iGrow, an agritech startup, empowers farmers through partnership with sponsors, while Sikumis is working to eliminate brokers to allow direct market access for farmers. To commemorate World Food Day on October 16, Tempo English reports.