Bogor, 19 February 2026 – In an effort to strengthen internal capacity and address the challenges of urban food security, SEAMEO BIOTROP organized an In-House Training (IHT) program entitled Precision Urban Agriculture (Smart Urban Farming). The activity runs for approximately two months, from 19 February to 17 April 2026, at the SEAMEO BIOTROP Campus in Bogor, Indonesia.

A total of 27 prospective internal trainers are participating in the program, selected based on their fields of interest. The program is designed not only to enhance technical competencies but also to prepare participants to serve as agents to replicate the training within their work environment and with broader partners.

On this occasion, Prof. Edi Santosa, Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, expressed his appreciation for the program's continuity from 2025 to 2026. “I hope this program can continue to be developed so that its impact becomes broader and receives sustained support, enabling the implementation of precision urban agriculture to maximize the effective and practical use of IoT technology,” he stated.

Furthermore, Dr. Doni Yusri, the Centre’s deputy director for program, emphasized that this initiative is a strategic step in strengthening institutional capacity and increasing the relevance of the SEAMEO BIOTROP training program to current urban agriculture challenges. “It is necessary to maintain the program's sustainability, enhancing interdepartmental collaboration, and ensuring that the resulting training modules can be effectively replicated and adapted in various contexts across the region”.

Through this program, participants’ competencies in smart urban farming will be strengthened, reliable internal trainers will be developed, and a replicable training module will be created. Through the implementation of this IHT, SEAMEO BIOTROP reaffirms its commitment to promoting the transformation of technology-based urban agriculture and strengthening the role of education and training institutions toward a more adaptive, efficient, and sustainable urban food system.

The training was initiated in response to the growing demand for fresh food in urban areas and the limited available land. Urban farming has become a solution for strengthening food security and reducing carbon footprints; however, it still faces challenges related to water, nutrient, and feed efficiency, as well as largely manual monitoring systems. Therefore, technology-based innovation is needed to improve productivity and sustainability.

Ms. Dewi Suryani, the activity coordinator, said the activity aims to enhance participants’ capacity to implement precision urban agriculture by mastering cultivation techniques and applying low-cost IoT technology. Specifically, participants are expected to understand the concept of precision agriculture, utilize basic sensors and simple monitoring systems, integrate IoT technology into various cultivation systems, and replicate the training for partners and the wider community.

The training materials are delivered by experienced academics and practitioners. Six main topics are covered, including (1) an introduction to Smart Urban Farming and IoT by Dr. rer. nat. Doni Yusri, S.P., M.M.; (2) hydroponic cultivation by Dr. Endang Gunawan, S.P., M.Si.; (3) edible mushroom cultivation by Sumedi, S.Fil., MMA; (4) fruit plants in pots (tabulampot) by Dr. Ir. Supriyanto; (5) food fish culture using RAS and biofloc systems by Fajar Maulana, S.Pi., M.Si.; and (6) aquaponics by Prof. Dr. Ir. Kukuh Nirmala, M.Sc.