Tabanan (ANTARA) – U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jewel H. Bronaugh said he was amazed to see the tradition and long history of traditional farming systems in Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali, which apply sustainable practices and are able to anticipate various climate change situations.
Bronaugh said the experience of directly seeing the rice terraces complex at Jatiluwih, which marked the conclusion of the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting (AMM) in Bali, was an unforgettable moment.
“This long tradition in Jatiluwih is incredible. We must respect this heritage, because the tradition of agriculture here has existed since the 9th century. This kind of tradition has been nurtured for years by farmers, and it also supports the Indonesian economy,” Bronaugh said in response to ANTARA’s question on the sidelines of its Jatiluwih activities on Thursday.
On the same occasion, he assessed that maintaining traditional farming methods was not easy, so he was impressed by the farmers of Jatiluwih who knew how to preserve the tradition of organic farming and minimal pollution, considering that the rice fields in this region were still plowed by cows and not tractors.
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“We are here to see how the tradition has survived, the story behind it and how the irrigation system works here. It was an experience I will never forget,” the US Undersecretary of Agriculture said.
Bronaugh, during his visit, also explained that digital farming, which has become one of the central themes of the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting (AMM), is becoming increasingly relevant in the face of traditional farming methods at Jatiluwih that have proven to be durable and adaptable. to the impacts of climate change.
He said that digital agriculture and traditional agriculture are not contradictory, as they complement each other.
Using technology in digital agriculture can help traditional farmers, like in Jatiluwih, increase land and water use efficiency.
“Digital technology can also help farmers anticipate climate change while increasing their productivity. The two are the right pair, tradition and technology are the future of agriculture,” he said in response to ANTARA’s question.
Bronaugh and other foreign dignitaries, including Canadian Agriculture and Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director General Qu Dongyu seen firsthand the traditional farming practices in Jatiluwih, Tabanan.
The Jatiluwih rice field area, which includes Ulun Danu Batur Temple, Lake Batur, River Landscapes and Watershed Temples (DAS) at Pakerisan, Caturrangga Batukaru and Taman Ayun Temple, has been designated by UNESCO as world heritage since 2012.
During the visit, foreign delegates who attended the AMM G20 were also invited to sample Jatiluwih delicacies and beverages, including brown rice tea.
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