Introducing AI-Based Precision Agriculture Technology at an Early Stage: Unsri’s PKM Team Empowers Teachers and Students

Sriwijaya University (Unsri), through its Community Service Team (PKM), is conducting an educational program on precision agricultural technology at State Elementary School No. 27 in Palembang. The program, titled “Training on the Creation of Precision Agriculture Teaching Aids and AI-Based Adaptive Worksheets,” ran from mid-October through November 2025. The program aims to enhance the understanding and competencies of teachers and students regarding modern agricultural concepts that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy.

The head of the community service team, Apit Fathurohman, S.Pd., M.Si., Ph.D., explained that this program is designed to introduce precision agriculture to students starting in elementary school. One of the technologies introduced is a solar-powered drip irrigation system equipped with real-time monitoring. Through this demonstration tool, students can learn about the interconnection between science, technology, and their application in supporting food security.

The program is implemented in several stages. Activities began with an orientation session on October 16, 2025, to ensure a shared understanding among the faculty team, students, and school representatives. Subsequently, on October 31, 2025, teachers participated in technical training on the concepts and applications of precision agriculture.

In November 2025, the activities continued with guidance on developing adaptive Student Worksheets (LKPD) integrated with technology on November 10. Two days later, on November 12, 2025, the Unsri team provided guidance on the creation of teaching aids and handed over the technological equipment to SD Negeri 27 Palembang. The next series of activities consisted of a hands-on session on preparing growing media, held on November 13, 2025.

In addition to on-site training at the school, the program also provided hands-on learning experiences through an educational visit to the Greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sriwijaya, on Friday, November 14, 2025. Dozens of students from SD Negeri 27 Palembang participated in the activity while wearing their Scout uniforms. They had the opportunity to observe hydroponic installations and various applications of modern agricultural technology.

During the visit, the students interacted with faculty members and students to understand how soil moisture sensors and automated irrigation systems work. This experience gave the students the opportunity to learn about the practical application of agricultural technology firsthand, complementing the material they had previously learned in the classroom.

The program involved interdisciplinary collaboration among the fields of Physics Education, Agricultural Engineering, and Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD). In addition to Apit Fathurohman, the implementation team also consisted of Hilda Agustina and Esti Susiloningsih. The activity also involved five students—Erazando, Pausma, Roro Aisiyah, Rahma Hafitri, and Chika Variza—who contributed to the development of the automated irrigation system and soil quality sensors.

The principal of Palembang Public Elementary School No. 27, Febriansyah Farma, S.Pd., Gr., welcomed the program’s implementation. According to him, this initiative provides support for the school, particularly in the areas of management and enriching learning materials to make them more contextually relevant. The program targets 15 teachers and hundreds of students at SD Negeri 27 Palembang.

Through a series of training sessions, mentoring, the development of teaching aids, and educational field trips, the Unsri PKM Team seeks to introduce the concept of precision agriculture and the use of modern technology to the elementary school setting. This initiative also serves as a means to connect science education with advancements in agricultural technology and future food security needs.