Ginna Novarianti Dwi Putri Pramesti

AgriTech Innovation and Food Security: Balancing Technological Disruption and Smallholder Inclusion

Introduction

Agritech innovation and food security: balancing technological disruption and smallholder inclusion. AgriTech innovation boosts food security for smallholders. This research balances tech disruption with inclusion, identifying challenges and policy solutions for equitable access.

Abstract

Global food security faces serious challenges due to climate change, market volatility, and limited access to nutritious food. Agricultural technology innovation (AgriTech) is seen as one of the solutions to increase productivity and efficiency, but its implementation among smallholders still faces various obstacles, especially related to costs, digital literacy, and limited infrastructure. This research aims to evaluate the balance between agronomic efficiency and social inclusion in the implementation of AgriTech, identify effective mentoring models, and formulate policy recommendations oriented towards equity in access. The research method uses a qualitative approach with a case study design on smallholders in rural Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 25 participants, field observations, and simple questionnaires of 50 respondents, then analyzed with Miles and Huberman's interactive model combined with quantitative descriptive analysis. The results show that AgriTech is able to increase productivity by an average of 12% per planting season and reduce input costs, but there are still significant obstacles in the form of application costs, limited internet networks, and low digital literacy. The findings also show that blended extension approaches  (a combination of face-to-face and digital counseling) and collective institutional strengthening have proven effective in expanding adoption. This research confirms that sustainable food security can only be achieved through a balance between technological disruption and smallholder inclusion. Policy implications include subsidies for application access, integration of fintech services with digital advisory, and digital literacy programs to strengthen the capacity of farmers to utilize technological innovations.

Review

This paper addresses a highly pertinent and critical issue concerning global food security, specifically the delicate balance required when integrating AgriTech innovations with the needs and realities of smallholder farmers. The title, "AgriTech Innovation and Food Security: Balancing Technological Disruption and Smallholder Inclusion," accurately reflects the core tension explored. The research aims are clearly articulated, addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and market volatility while explicitly focusing on enhancing agronomic efficiency and social equity. This balanced perspective, combining technological promise with an acute awareness of implementation barriers, makes the study particularly valuable for researchers and policymakers alike. The methodology employs a qualitative approach with a case study design in rural Indonesia, utilizing in-depth interviews, field observations, and questionnaires, analyzed through a mixed-methods lens. This robust approach provides a nuanced understanding of the on-ground situation. The findings compellingly demonstrate the potential of AgriTech to increase productivity (an average of 12% per season) and reduce input costs, thereby contributing directly to food security. Crucially, the research does not shy away from highlighting persistent obstacles such as application costs, limited internet access, and low digital literacy, which are common yet often overlooked barriers. The identification of blended extension approaches and collective institutional strengthening as effective adoption models offers practical, evidence-based solutions. Ultimately, the research strongly reinforces the notion that sustainable food security hinges not just on technological advancement but equally on ensuring inclusive access and participation for smallholder farmers. The policy recommendations—including subsidies for application access, integration of fintech services, and targeted digital literacy programs—are highly actionable and directly address the identified impediments. While the case study nature might limit direct generalizability without further studies, the insights gained from rural Indonesia provide a crucial blueprint for similar contexts facing analogous challenges. This paper offers a significant contribution to the discourse on agricultural development, effectively bridging the gap between innovation's potential and its equitable realization.

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