Smartagri Researchers Win Best Presenter Award at 2026 National Agrotropical Seminar

By: Fahmi Arsyad

Yogyakarta, April 30, 2026 — Researchers from the Smart Agriculture Research Center (Smartagri), Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DTPB), Faculty of Agricultural Technology Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM), successfully won the Best Presenter award at the 2026 National Agrotropical Seminar held by the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Mulawarman online via Zoom Meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The national seminar carried the theme "Technology Transformation and Agricultural Innovation for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture." The event was attended by academics, researchers, and students from various universities across Indonesia.

At the event, the Smartagri research team presented various research results focusing on the development of precision agriculture technology and smart systems to support production efficiency and agricultural resource management. The research presented took a data-driven approach through the integration of digital technology, control systems, and machine learning-based modeling to support decision-making in modern agricultural sectors. Through this presentation, the research team also introduced the development of technology that supports a more efficient and sustainable agricultural system.

Several research titles presented at the national seminar include:

Development of Fuzzy Logic Algorithms for Irrigation Optimization on Sandy Land Based on Evapotranspiration and Soil Moisture by Ardan Desta Vaunendra
Evaluation of Sprinkler Irrigation Implementation through Hydraulic Analysis and Water Distribution Uniformity Analysis Based on Christiansen Uniformity in Glagah Coastal Land, Kulon Progo by Devi Ramdani
Quantification of External Factors as Basis for Operator Performance Evaluation in the Sapon Irrigation Area by Arinda Fadea Pramaesela
Estimation of Rice Stomatal Conductance Using XGBoost Algorithm Based on Multispectral Imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle by Faiz Ridwan Pratama
Classification of Papaya Plant Health Based on Machine Learning from Leaf Physiology Data by Muhammad Ilham Al Marda.

Based on the presentations delivered, Ardan Desta Vaunendra, Devi Ramdani, Arinda Fadea Pramaesela, and Ilham Al Marda successfully obtained the Best Presenter 1 award, while Faiz Ridwan Pratama received the Best Presenter 2 award. The awards were given based on the quality of material delivery, research substance, and the ability to answer questions during the discussion session. This achievement serves as motivation for the research team to continue developing the quality of research and scientific communication in the future.

The students involved in this research are under the guidance of Dr. Murtiningrum and Dr. Andri Prima Nugroho from the Smart Agriculture Research Center, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This research activity is funded through the Priority Research Downstream Program – SINERGI Kemendikbudristekdikti 2025 as support for the development of innovative research in smart farming and sustainable agriculture.

Participation and achievements at this seminar demonstrate Smartagri's commitment to advancing research development relevant to the needs of the modern agricultural sector. The national seminar also served as a means to expand academic collaboration and exchange of ideas among researchers in the field of smart farming and sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, the event supported the strengthening of academic culture and scientific publication within the higher education community.

Research activities and participation in this seminar are supported by the Sinergi Program and the Food Security Working Group (WGFS 1.2) Precision Agriculture and Smart Farming, Inter-University Excellence Center (PUAPT) Universitas Gadjah Mada, which provided research facility support. This activity also contributes to the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The development of agricultural technology innovation being conducted is expected to support the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production systems in the future.