The Kendari City Government has demonstrated a serious commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector through the 2026 Thematic Climate Field School (SLI) program. This initiative is designed as a systematic effort to shift farmers' mindsets from purely experience-based conventional methods to smart farmers capable of optimizing scientific data and technology in land management.
Vice Chairman of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ir. Ridwan Bae, who opened the event, emphasized that the transformation of the agricultural sector has become an imperative. According to him, the paradigm of agriculture as traditional labor must be promptly replaced with the understanding that agriculture is a promising modern industry. He specifically encouraged the younger generation of Southeast Sulawesi to actively participate as primary drivers of progress in this sector by utilizing government assistance, such as superior seeds and fertilizer subsidies.
Head of the Prevention and Preparedness Division of the Kendari City Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Rahmat Yunus, representing the Mayor, expressed appreciation for the cross-sectoral collaboration involving BMKG, Commission V of DPR RI, and BPD HIPMI Sultra. This synergy is considered crucial for maintaining regional food security amid the increasingly real threat of climate change, such as rainfall uncertainty and extreme weather phenomena that frequently disrupt planting schedules.
The integration of data from the BMKG Climatology Station has now become a vital instrument for farmers in Kendari to determine precise planting times and appropriate commodity selection. This step aims not only to increase productivity but also serves as a government strategy to control inflation by reducing the risk of crop failures often triggered by climate uncertainty.
Moving forward, the Kendari City Government is determined to continue developing urban agriculture concepts and optimizing idle land. SLI participants are expected to become agents of change who spread climate literacy to other farming groups, ensuring local food security is sustained through knowledge-based agricultural practices.
