JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that the future of Indonesian agriculture is in the hands of the younger generation and students who are believed to be able to bring innovation and new enthusiasm for the national agricultural sector with a technological approach.
"If we want food sovereignty, campuses and young people must go down directly. Be a pioneer, not spectators," said the Minister of Agriculture in his direction at the opening of the 18th National Conference (Munas) of the Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) in Bogor, West Java, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, June 25.
The Minister of Agriculture conveyed the importance of the role of the younger generation in implementing Indonesia's agricultural transformation from traditional systems to modern agriculture based on technology and innovation.
"Today's farming is no longer a matter of hoes and mud. It's about technology, research, and innovation. Students must be the locomotive of change," said the Minister of Agriculture as stated in Jakarta.
He emphasized that how to leverage the added value of the agricultural sector to support the national economy is the form of downstreaming agricultural commodities.
"All of our largest and most powerful products are mining and agriculture. And this agriculture can lead the future of the Indonesian nation. And students here can lead Indonesia in the future," said Amran.
Therefore, according to Amran, the forum is not only used as a place to consolidate the student movement nationally, but also a space for collective reflection of the strategic role of the younger generation in welcoming the future of agriculture that is more advanced and can be realized for Indonesia.
"The key consistency. Policy consistency is not for individuals but for the state. Investment schemes in downstream agriculture cultivation and industry are based on potential resources where the total investment is IDR 371 trillion, where people and young people have a larger portion," explained Amran.
The Minister of Agriculture admitted that he opened a wide door to collaborate so that the National Conference became a strategic momentum to raise students' awareness of the importance of innovation in strengthening the national food sector.
"BEM as a change actor is expected to be able to bridge campus research with the needs of the community in the field, one of which is downstream," said Amran.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor of IPB, Prof. Arief Satria added that students as the younger generation have a very important role in future development through various innovations.
It takes various leadership levels to be able to make changes in the future.
The first is self-leader, leading yourself. Everyone has become a leader. The second is lead others, leading other people. This is what we are currently doing," said Arief in front of the BEM SI National Conference participants who were present.
The third level is lead change, which is leading changes, including institutions and organizations. And the fourth level is lead the future, leading the future.
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In line with that, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto emphasized the importance of students as drivers of research and technology culture in supporting innovation, including in the agricultural sector.
According to him, BEM needs to be the locomotive of a new culture based on science, research, and technology as a foundation for downstreaming that encourages national economic growth in a sustainable and independent manner.
"Campuses must join hands with industry, or even give birth to industry. Student activists must be an example, by mastering science and technology," said Brian.
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