The water man: Malikul Ikram’s smart irrigation technology for Indonesia’s agriculture
With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a sprawling island state with a unique and diverse landscape. The heart and cornerstone of this vibrant mosaic is the agricultural sector. Almost a third of the population is employed in agriculture and makes a significant contribution to the gross domestic product – especially small-scale farmers. They cultivate small plots of land and are closely tied to the rhythms of the earth and the whims of the weather.
Not an easy task in times of climate change: the quality of the soil is declining, extreme weather events are increasing and pests and diseases are spreading more easily due to the warm temperatures. Moreover, the insufficient infrastructure makes it difficult for farmers to sell their produce on the markets in a timely and cost-effective manner.
In response to the challenges, the Indonesian government has rolled out a series of initiatives. These include subsidies for fertilizers, the improvement of irrigation systems and investments in research and agricultural technologies.
Yet, it’s not just the government that’s stepping up. A wave of entrepreneurs is rising to meet challenges with innovative green-technology solutions – such as BIOPS Agrotekno. This Green-tech startup is at the forefront of a new agricultural revolution in Indonesia, championing the concept of precision farming.
This involves the use of technologies such as GPS, sensors, drones and big data analysis to precisely adjust the amount of water, fertilizer and pesticides to the needs of individual plants. The technical applications can be monitored and controlled very simply and in real time via a smartphone.
We do not want to take away farmers’ jobs, but we want to help lighten the workload of farmers in Indonesia through digital transformation.
Malikul Ikram, founder of BIOPS Agrotekno.
BIOPS Agrotekno’s technology not only reduces the physical strain on farmers, but also leads to healthier and more sustainable harvests – even if the new technologies are not always met with enthusiasm: “One of the other challenges for BIOPS also lies with the farmers. It is quite difficult to make them realize that what they are doing can still be optimized and beneficial for Indonesia as well as themselves”, said Malikul Ikram, founder of BIOPS Agrotekno.
But the innovative solutions are showing results: On the island of Kaledupa in the province of South-East Sulawesi, automatic irrigation has reduced the amount of time farmers spend working: Every day, they have 1.5 hours more time for other important tasks instead of having to worry about irrigation.
In addition to convincing farmers, visibility, networking and growth are also crucial for the innovative start-up company. By participating in events such as the Green Entrepreneurs Network, the company can raise its profile and present innovative progress.
Joining the Green Entrepreneurs Network event, is very helpful for us in terms of connections and exposure, and we hope that at the Green Techmakers event can help us to develop the minimum viable product – our first functional version.
Malikul Ikram, founder of BIOPS Agrotekno.
The journey of BIOPS Agrotekno exemplifies the potential for synergy between tradition and innovation in Indonesian agriculture. By blending the wisdom of the past with the tools of the future, BIOPS’s team are not just cultivating crops but also hope for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.
