Gunungkidul, 18 June 2025 – In an effort to address the challenges of water crisis and climate change in the karst hills, the Rukun Santoso Farmers Group in Padukuhan Temon, Kalurahan Giripurwo, launched Smart Fog Irrigation Innovation integrated with a rainwater harvesting system and Internet of Things (IoT). The launch event was held at the Nglarangan Rice Field Demonstration Plot, Temon Hamlet, Giripurwo Village, Purwosari Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency.
This activity is an important milestone in the application of climate-adaptive agricultural technology to support food security in arid regions. Fog irrigation uses micro water particles that are sprayed directly onto plants, minimising water loss due to evaporation. When combined with rainwater harvesting systems and IoT sensors, this technology is capable of precise and automatic irrigation control.
This innovation has been installed in a pilot area owned by the Rukun Santoso Farmers Group, and it is hoped that it can be replicated by other farmer groups in the Gunungkidul region and other dry areas. This technology is an example of the application of appropriate technology based on local wisdom, responding to the specific needs of the region without compromising environmental sustainability.
“Technology has been a huge help to the community here. We have seen that irrigation can be controlled with just one button on an app. I am grateful to YAKKUM Emergency Unit and the community for working together to develop this innovation. It is very important because it can be replicated, not only here but also in other places. The hope is that we can see the potential for collaboration with the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders. I hope that today's launch can be a catalyst and inspiration for our friends in NGOs and communities." Charlie Hartono, Country Director of AVPN Indonesia.
The launch event was also attended by the Gunungkidul Agriculture Office, Mr Tri Wibowo, who officially inaugurated the irrigation system. Also giving speeches were the Head of Giripurwo Village, Supriyadi; Director of YEU, Debora Dian Utami; Country Director of AVPN Indonesia, Charlie Hartono; Member of the Gunungkidul Regional Representative Council, Mrs Ery Agustin Sudiyanri, SE.MM; and Baryono Buang Prasetyo as Panewu Purwosari. Participants included relevant government agencies, farmer groups, academics, and civil society organisations.
We are very grateful that the Ngudi Mulya Farmer Group and the Rukun Santoso Farmer Group have become extraordinary partners. Collaboration between social institutions, community groups, and even the business sector can be achieved if we try and think about what we can do that will have an impact not only on one party. Of course, this is also done for the community. The hope is that this can also become a medium for education for other farmer groups, to develop or replicate this fog irrigation system. The Rukun Santoso Farmer Group has become a mentor for other farmer groups," said Debora Dian Utami, Director of YEU.
In addition to introducing innovations, this activity also aims to establish ongoing collaboration with local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of this technology to other vulnerable areas.
With this launch, it is hoped that cross-sector synergies will continue to be strengthened to expand the impact of innovation in improving food security and climate change adaptation in drought-prone areas.
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Author: Nanda Annisa Husni – Communications, Information and Publications Coordinator