Existential threats are still induced at Indonesia's food crop fields. The remaining barriers—if we don't want to use the term 'threats'—come from various causes, such as unstable climate, pests, plant diseases, poor infrastructure, migration, commodity price and regulatory fluctuations.

Together with International Finance Corporation (IFC), Netafim, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and local partners, Bayer AG launched a global alliance called Better Life Farming.

The long-term partnership which was launched in the middle of the month is focusing on the livelihoods of rice farmers around Asia. Linking global expertise with local partners, Better Life Farming provides leading agricultural practices, seeds, precision irrigation, crop protection, capital, insurance, digital technology and access to markets where each service is implemented to meet the needs of smallholders on a large scale.

Here's what we should know about Better Life Farming:

• It provides high-quality input and technology. Farmers are provided with the latest technology for seeds, crop protection and fertilizer. Better Life Farming introduces the use of smart devices as solutions in a way to tackle limited workforce and, at the same time, implementing sustainable farming methods.
• Better Life Farming introduces good agricultural practices to increase rice production, such as land preparation, integrated crop management and the application of technology.
• It has training program called "Farming as a Business," which will guide farmers to develop an entrepreneurial mindset in managing their farming activities in a more professional manner.
• Better Life Farming collaborates with various different partners to ensure transparency in the price chain.
• Better Life Farming allows smallholders to gain access to financial partners, insurance and risk allocation products through appropriate education.