JAKARTA - In the midst of increasing national food needs and rapid technological development, Indonesia's agricultural sector needs more young talents who not only understand cultivation, but are also able to develop innovations, build businesses, and create added value for the community. To answer this challenge, PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR) together with PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) and the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Jember held AgriYouth Talks 2026 with the theme "Financial Inclusion & Future of Agriculture for the Young Generation".
This activity brings together students, lecturers, academics, and industry players in a collaborative forum to discuss the relationship between innovation, agriculture, and financial access as an important foundation in driving Indonesia's real economic growth.
The Executive Director of the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI), Yasmine Meylia, also delivered a video message highlighting the importance of financial understanding as a resource for students in building careers and businesses in the future. In addition to seminars, participants also attended the Student Agricultural Technology Product Title which featured various innovations by students of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Jember University.
This exhibition shows the great potential for creativity and innovation that young people have in creating value-added products from the agricultural sector. However, in order for these innovations to develop into sustainable businesses, more than just ideas and technology are needed.
Access to capital, financial literacy, good business management, and understanding of formal financial services are important factors in supporting the process of industrialization and business development. This is one of the common threads in AgriYouth Talks 2026, namely how innovation and financial inclusion can go hand in hand to open wider economic opportunities for the younger generation.
In line with this, the Rector of Jember University emphasized the importance of synergy between the campus and the business world in creating innovations that can provide real benefits to the community.
"Collaboration between campuses and industries is an important bridge so that student innovation does not stop as an academic task, but develops into solutions that are economically valuable and have an impact on society," said the Rector of Jember University.
In the discussion session, Viky Alvianas, Product Manager of PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), discussed the importance of access to formal financial services, financial literacy, and the use of safe and legal financial services as a resource in building businesses and developing innovations.
Students are also invited to understand the importance of healthy financial management, recognize legal and licensed financial services, and use financial access wisely to support the development of their businesses and innovations.
Meanwhile, Evi Febriana Suhardi, President Director of PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU), raised the theme of opportunities and challenges for Indonesia's agricultural sector, including the importance of farmer regeneration, the use of technology, and the development of modern agribusiness that can create added value for society.
"We believe that agricultural development must begin with human development. Young generations have an important role in bringing the innovations, technologies, and new ways of thinking that are needed to answer the challenges of food security in the future," said Evi.
As part of the series of activities, PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) and Jember University also signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) which includes human resource development, improving student competence, and strengthening collaboration between the education and industry. This cooperation is expected to open more opportunities for students to gain industry experience, competence development, to career opportunities that are relevant to the needs of the agricultural and agri-business sectors which continue to grow.
Through AgriYouth Talks 2026, MEKAR shows its commitment to supporting Indonesia's real economic growth through increased financial literacy, youth talent development, and cross-sector collaboration. As part of the MEKAR Ecosystem, the company not only expands access to productive financing for the public and business actors, but also develops a sustainable agricultural sector through MANU and encourages more environmentally friendly management of resources and energy.
MEKAR believes that Indonesia's future requires strong collaboration between the financial, education, agriculture, and sustainability sectors. Through investment in young generations, innovation, and real economic development, AgriYouth Talks 2026 is expected to be the first step in the birth of more young talents who are ready to create a positive impact on society and sustainable development in Indonesia.
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