As part of efforts to promote technology-based agricultural transformation, Lentera Desa, a platform developed by lecturers of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized an offline digital literacy training for millennial farmers and agricultural extension agents in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This event will be held from 2 to 7 May 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of human resources in the agricultural sector to adapt to the dynamics of the digital era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Lentera Desa (Digital Extension Society for Agriculture) is a digital education platform created by UGM lecturers, providing a space for training, information sharing, and discussion. It is designed for farmers, extension agents, and other agricultural stakeholders to expand their knowledge and skills through practical and applicable digital approaches.
In this training, participants received core materials on digital literacy in agriculture. These included the definition and urgency of digital literacy, its application in information searching, its use in agribusiness marketing, and the development of agricultural extension content through digital means.
The event featured speakers from diverse and complementary backgrounds. Supardi, a farmer who applies Internet of Things (IoT) technology in his agricultural practices, shared his first-hand experience using digital tools on the ground. Abdurrahman Agosto, S.T., a photography practitioner and lecturer in the Audio-Visual course at the Faculty of Agriculture UGM, discussed the importance of visual content in agricultural communication. Additional speakers such as Tumpal Gultom, S.Si. (from Kebun Mahobi), Sofyan Adi Cahyono, S.P. (from Sayur Organik Merbabu), and M. Raffi Putra, S.Pwk. (from PT Kolibri Kreasi Sinema) offered practical insights into the role of digital technology in agribusiness. Furthermore, Alia Bihrajihant Raya, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., a lecturer in Agricultural Extension and Communication at UGM, provided a conceptual and strategic framework on the critical role of digital literacy in agricultural communication.
The participants showed high enthusiasm throughout the training sessions. The interactive and hands-on learning environment encouraged active engagement and lively discussions. The use of practical-based teaching methods was a key factor in delivering an impactful and enjoyable learning experience.
According to the organizers, the training significantly improved participants’ digital literacy skills. The adoption of digital tools in their agricultural activities also increased. In the long term, this progress is expected to support a more effective, efficient, and sustainable agricultural system. The Lentera Desa platform itself is envisioned to serve as a continuous learning medium for farmers, extension agents, and other agricultural communities—ultimately boosting their capacities and the productivity of their farming enterprises.
This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, SDG 4 (Quality Education), by offering relevant and practical training access for agricultural actors. Second, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by enhancing skills that contribute to productivity and farmer welfare. Third, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by encouraging the adoption of digital technology in building a modern and adaptive agricultural system.
Through this training, Lentera Desa demonstrates its commitment to bridging agriculture and digital transformation. Similar initiatives are hoped to continue and expand to wider regions, contributing to Indonesia’s agricultural transformation toward a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Written by: Adhika Hafizh Prasada, S.P.
Website Administrator, Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada