SmartAgri UGM and Kubota Explore Research Collaboration in Precision Agriculture to Optimize National Agricultural Machinery
Yogyakarta, May 28, 2025 – The Smart Agriculture Research Center at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an important meeting with representatives from Kubota, a leading agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturer, to explore the potential for research collaboration in developing precision agriculture in Indonesia. This discussion focused on efforts to increase efficiency and sustainability in the use of agricultural machinery, particularly tractors, in the food crop agriculture sector.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, was attended by leadership and researchers from Smart Agriculture UGM, including Prof. Ir. Lilik Sutiarso, M.Eng., IPU., ASEAN Eng., APEC Eng., and Ir. Andri Prima Nugroho, Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng., APEC Eng. From Kubota's side, Indonesia President Director Toyokazu Murata, Sales Manager Azusa Takaki, and other representatives attended in person.
In his remarks, Prof. Lilik Sutiarso highlighted UGM's experience in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture for developing GPS systems to support agricultural mechanization. He affirmed Smart Agriculture's position as a leading center for the development and implementation of precision agriculture technology at UGM. Prof. Lilik also emphasized that the current application of agricultural machinery remains more dominant in the plantation sector compared to the food crop sector in Indonesia, indicating a gap that needs to be filled.
The discussion session was the core of the meeting, during which both parties discussed challenges and innovative solutions. An urgent need was identified to expand research related to tractors, particularly in the context of precision agriculture and integration with digital technology. Agricultural Machinery Service Units (UPJA) in the field were found to face difficulties in managing tractor use and maintenance efficiently and sustainably.
In response, Smart Agriculture UGM proposed an innovative service model resembling an "automotive dealer" for agricultural machinery. This model would provide an integrated system, including periodic maintenance reminders and comprehensive technical support. Additionally, a financial management system concept for agricultural machinery users was proposed to maximize the benefits of agricultural mechanization through more structured fund management.
These ideas were received positively, particularly as the Ministry of Agriculture has also identified similar problems regarding inadequate optimization of agricultural machinery use by farmers. Innovative programs such as the automotive dealer model are expected to significantly increase the adoption of mechanization.
The discussion also touched on the development of a tractor work tracking system to monitor activities with precision and calculate operational cost estimates in real-time. Furthermore, the idea of national agricultural machinery mapping was proposed to identify the number, distribution, and operational status of tractors and other agricultural machinery in Indonesia in an integrated manner.
This meeting marks a promising initial step for collaboration between academia and industry in advancing Indonesia's agricultural sector through innovative technology and smarter, more efficient agricultural machinery management.
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