(from left) Head of the ITS Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology Studies, Prof. Ketut Eddy Purnama ST MT, and the person in charge of the collaboration activity, Dr. Ir. Arief Abdurrakhman ST MT, while delivering a report regarding the launch of the Smart Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Agricultural Technology Consortium.

ITS Campus, ITS News — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to technological innovation through the launch of the Smart Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Based Agricultural Industry Research Consortium, on Tuesday (4/15). Held in the Executive Meeting Room of the ITS Rectorate Building, the launch marked a strategic moment of collaboration between academic institutions and research agencies to support the transformation of Indonesia’s agricultural sector.

In his opening remarks, ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MSc Eng, PhD, emphasized that this collaboration is a long-term strategic move aimed at producing real breakthroughs, particularly in agriculture and food security. He underlined that Indonesia, despite being one of the countries with the highest levels of food imports in the world, has tremendous potential. “Therefore, we need to further develop our agriculture through the use of existing technologies,” he said optimistically.

The consortium was formed through a strategic partnership between ITS and several institutions: the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), University of Udayana, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, and Ehime University from Japan. This collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to a five-year partnership that will be continuously renewed through periodic evaluations to ensure the effectiveness and real impact of the research conducted.

In his report, Prof. Dr. I Ketut Eddy Purnama, ST, MT, Head of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology Studies at ITS Directorate of Research and Community Service (DRPM), stated that the formation of the consortium is part of a national effort to address food security challenges using smart technology. “Adopting the principle of the Food-Water-Energy Nexus, we hope that agricultural development will not stand alone, but will be integrated with water and energy utilization,” he explained.

One of the academic institution partners, Prof Md Parvez Islam from the Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Japan, when signing the MoU for the Agricultural Industry Technology Research Consortium based on Smart Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

One of the main focuses of the consortium is the development of precision agriculture based on AI and the Internet of Things (IoT). The consortium also explores biomass waste utilization as a renewable energy source, enhancement of data science-based agricultural insurance systems, and the establishment of postgraduate education programs and international student exchanges to strengthen human resources in this field.

The consortium not only involves academic institutions but also engages industry partners in determining research direction and evaluating the implementation of research outcomes in the field. “We want these research results to be more than just academic publications; we want them to become technologies ready for application and capable of making an impact in society,” stated the ITS Department of Computer Engineering lecturer.

During the launch event, stakeholders also discussed funding schemes to support the collaboration, ranging from LPDP and BRIN to international opportunities such as MEXT and JASSO from Japan. This funding approach is expected to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and accelerate the application of research outcomes to the industry and wider society.

(from the front right) Head of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology at ITS, Prof. Ketut Eddy Purnama ST MT, and Principal Researcher at the Research Center for Industrial, Service, and Trade Economics at BRIN, Prof. Ir. Sahat Marulitua Pasaribu MEng PhD, exchanging souvenirs after the collaboration discussion.

Furthermore, Ketut highlighted that by promoting multidisciplinary research, ITS aims to position higher education institutions not only as centers of learning but also as key drivers of social and economic change. He believes that universities play a crucial role in bridging scientific knowledge with real community needs, especially in addressing global challenges like climate change and food crises.

This research collaboration also aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), as well as Goals 6, 7, and 13, which focus on clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and climate action, respectively.

The launch of this consortium marks a starting point for the transformation of Indonesia’s agricultural sector towards a smarter, more sustainable, and technology-based future. ITS hopes this synergy will strengthen Indonesia’s position in creating an adaptive, efficient, and inclusive agricultural system to ensure long-term food security. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Lathifah Sahda