AgriYouth 2025: MEKAR Drives Sustainable Agriculture and Youth Empowerment in West Sumatra

Padang, September 18, 2025 – Marking its 9th anniversary in empowering communities, PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), a fintech company focused on productive financing, officially launched AgriYouth 2025 in Padang, West Sumatra.

This program represents a strategic collaboration between MEKAR, Paten Mekar Tani, the West Sumatra Provincial Government, West Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumbar), and three leading universities in the region. The initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural sector, enhance food security, and create employment opportunities for the younger generation.

The program is also supported by the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI), highlighting the positive contribution of the fintech industry, as well as FiO Technology as an international partner bringing financial technology solutions to modern agriculture.

Through its partnership with Paten Mekar Tani, MEKAR provides financing for corn farming while revitalizing previously idle land that had remained unproductive for over 35 years. The program is set to expand cultivation up to 300 hectares in hilly areas, creating new job opportunities, increasing food productivity, and contributing to national food security.

The involvement of the local government and Polda Sumbar underscores that this initiative goes beyond ceremonial activities—it represents a concrete step toward transforming the agricultural sector. This includes improving community livelihoods, boosting regional economic growth, and introducing innovations such as waste-to-energy solutions for sustainable development.

AgriYouth also collaborates with three universities in West Sumatra through internship programs, enabling students to gain hands-on experience in modern agriculture. The program also supports the recruitment of top graduates for regional development and provides financial literacy education to equip young people and aspiring agripreneurs with sustainable financial skills.

On this occasion, MEKAR’s CEO, Pandu Aditya Kristy, emphasized the importance of building an integrated agricultural ecosystem.

“This initiative is not only about introducing young people to modern agricultural practices, but also about educating them on financial access to help farmers grow and scale. We aim to build a collaborative ecosystem that supports national food security goals,” he stated.

Through AgriYouth, participants are not only engaged in discussions but are also given real opportunities to collaborate with industry players, academics, and the financial sector. The program is expected to serve as a foundation for developing young agripreneurs who are ready to compete both nationally and globally.

As part of its commitment to preparing the younger generation for post-graduation challenges, MEKAR also conducted financial literacy programs targeting final-year university students. These sessions provided practical insights into personal financial management, future planning, and career readiness.

This initiative reflects MEKAR’s commitment to nurturing not only intellectually capable individuals, but also financially literate and resilient future leaders.

Since its establishment, MEKAR has focused on providing productive financing for MSMEs. In its 9th year, MEKAR reaffirms its contribution to sustainable regional development through financial innovation, farmer empowerment, and technology-driven youth engagement.