Central Java, Indonesia, a region heavily reliant on agriculture, grapples with various climate challenges. Unpredictable droughts, extreme weather, and environmental degradation leave potato farmers, who are the backbone of local economies, struggling with their harvests. Born and raised in a farming community in Magelang, Central Java, Maghfira Abida established The Precision Agriculture Initiative in Sumberejo to uplift the local potato farms.
Maghfira, who earned a Master of Science in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management from University College London, is driven by a desire to give back to the community that nurtured her. She envisioned a climate-responsive agricultural system, one that harnessed community-based technology to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
With support from the British Council’s UK Social Action Grant, Maghfira brought precision agriculture right to the farm gate. “We see the climate change and dynamic weather in the area, and use technology to find the exact time to do the farming,” said Maghfira. They set up practical Internet of Things (IoT) sensors designed specifically for Central Java, keeping a constant eye on the weather and the soil. These sensors are tough, cheap, and can use local materials like nails, which makes the advanced tech more accessible. Farmers now get instant insights, letting them make smart choices about watering and nurturing their crops, even when a prolonged dry spell hits.
The impact here is profound: no more guesswork. Farmers now know exactly when to water their crops, saving water and money. Fertiliser use has become more targeted, improving the soil and boosting yields. “We have proven that the quality of the potatoes are better. The efficiency of water distribution plays an important role here,” Maghfira continued.
However, the technology was merely a tool. Maghfira understood that true transformation required empowering people, especially women. “We saw a lot of potential with the women there, but most of them don’t know where to start,” she explained. Therefore, the initiative also formed the Farmers Women Group (KWT), which became a vibrant hub for collaboration and mutual support. Through comprehensive training programmes, these women gained practical skills in IoT technology, sensor assembly, and even entrepreneurship. “We train and strengthen the women there so they know what are the things they need to do, and in the future they can potentially get a grant or support from other institutions,” said Maghfira.
Not only that, they also made visits to inspiring sociopreneurship ventures, including Kraosan, which was founded by fellow UK alumni. The visits showed them firsthand how women could lead successful, impactful businesses. Today, some 30 women farmers have started exploring their own business ventures, especially in processing and selling post-harvest potato products. They’re not just earning more money, they’re stepping into leadership roles, shaping their communities in new ways, and genuinely breaking down long-standing gender barriers in agriculture.
Of course, none of this has been easy. There are many volatile factors when working with technology. “Sometimes, when we implement the technology, it’s quite different in the field, a lot of variables happen there,” said Maghfira. She also mentioned that some of the women lack confidence, which makes it hard to encourage them to be more independent. With patience, she opens the farmers’ minds to see the opportunities that lie in front of them. “We want them to learn and understand that there are a lot of opportunities that they can do in the future.”