AgriYouth 2025: Mekar Collaboration Encourages Sustainable Agriculture In West Sumatra

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Commemorating his 9 years of contribution to community empowerment, PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (Mekar), a productive financing-based financial technology company, launched AgriYouth 2025 in Padang, West Sumatra.

This program marks a strategic collaboration between Mekar, Paten Mekar Tani, West Sumatra Provincial Government, West Sumatra Police, and three well-known universities in West Sumatra to strengthen the agricultural sector, increase food security, as well as open up job opportunities for the younger generation.

Also present were representatives of the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI) who supported the positive contribution of the fintech industry, as well as FiO Technology as an international partner who brought financial technology solutions to modern agricultural development.

Through a partnership with Paten Mekar Tani, Mekar also provides financing for corn farming as well as reviving abandoned land that has been unproductive for 35 years. This program expands management to 300 hectares in hilly areas, with a real impact in the form of creating new jobs, increasing food productivity, and strengthening national food security.

The presence of the local government together with the West Sumatra Regional Police emphasized that this initiative was not just ceremonial, but a real step towards a big leap in the agricultural sector, starting from improving the quality of life of the community, growing regional income, to innovation in the use of waste processing technology into sustainable energy.

AgriYouth also collaborates with three universities in West Sumatra through internship programs so that students gain practical experience in the modern agricultural sector, absorb the best graduates for regional development, as well as financial literacy education to equip the younger generation and agripreneur candidates with sustainable financial skills.

On the same occasion, Mekar CEO Pandu Aditya Kristy emphasized the importance of building an integrated agricultural ecosystem.

"This activity not only introduces youth to modern agricultural production, but also educates about financial access for farmers to advance to class. We want to build a joint ecosystem that is able to realize the ideals in the food security sector," explained Pandu.

Through AgriYouth, participants not only get a discussion room, but also a real opportunity to collaborate with industry players, academics, and the financial sector. This program is expected to be the first step in printing young agripreneurs who are ready to compete at the national and global levels.

As a form of commitment in building a young generation who are ready to face the challenges of post-campus life, Mekar also organizes financial literacy programs targeting final-level students.

Through this event, Mekar provides relevant and applicative education related to personal financial management, future planning, and readiness to face the world of work. This initiative is not only an educational forum, but also a form of Mekar's concern in preparing young people who are not only intellectually superior, but also financially intelligent.

Since its establishment, Mekar has focused on productive financing for MSMEs. At the momentum of this 9th anniversary, Mekar reiterated his contribution to sustainable development in the region, through financial innovation, support for farmers, and empowerment of the technological-based young generation.