AgriYouth 2026 Empowers Young Generations to Shape the Future of Agriculture and Finance in Indonesia

Jember, June 10, 2026 – Amid rising national food demands and rapid technological advancements, Indonesia’s agricultural sector requires more young talents who not only understand cultivation practices but are also capable of driving innovation, building businesses, and creating value for society. To address this challenge, PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), together with PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) and the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at the University of Jember, organized AgriYouth Talks 2026 under the theme “Financial Inclusion & the Future of Agriculture for the Young Generation.”

The event brought together students, lecturers, academics, and industry practitioners in a collaborative forum to discuss the interconnection between innovation, agriculture, and financial access as key foundations for driving Indonesia’s real economic growth.

Supporting efforts to enhance financial literacy and inclusion among young people, Yasmine Meylia, Executive Director of the Indonesian Joint Funding Fintech Association (AFPI), delivered a video address highlighting the importance of financial knowledge as an essential foundation for students in building future careers and businesses.

In addition to the seminar sessions, participants also attended the Agricultural Technology Product Exhibition, showcasing various innovations developed by students from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at the University of Jember. The exhibition demonstrated the immense creativity and innovation potential of young generations in creating value-added agricultural products.

However, for these innovations to grow into sustainable businesses, more than ideas and technology are needed. Access to capital, financial literacy, sound business management, and an understanding of formal financial services are all critical factors in supporting downstream development and business growth. This became one of the key messages of AgriYouth Talks 2026: innovation and financial inclusion must go hand in hand to unlock broader economic opportunities for young people.

In line with this vision, the Rector of the University of Jember emphasized the importance of synergy between academia and industry in creating innovations that generate tangible benefits for society.

“Collaboration between universities and industry serves as an important bridge to ensure that student innovations do not stop as academic projects but evolve into economically valuable solutions that create real impact for society,” said the Rector of the University of Jember.

During the discussion session, Viky Alvianas, Product Manager at PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), discussed the importance of access to formal financial services, financial literacy, and the use of safe and regulated financial services as essential foundations for building businesses and developing innovations.

Students were also encouraged to understand the importance of sound financial management, recognize legal and licensed financial services, and utilize financial access responsibly to support the growth of their businesses and innovations.

Meanwhile, Evi Febriana Suhardi, President Director of PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU), highlighted the opportunities and challenges within Indonesia’s agricultural sector, including the importance of farmer regeneration, technology adoption, and the development of modern agribusiness that creates added value for society.

“We believe that agricultural development begins with human development. Young people play a crucial role in bringing innovation, technology, and fresh perspectives needed to address future food security challenges,” said Evi.

As part of the event series, PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) and the University of Jember signed a Cooperation Agreement covering human resource development, student competency enhancement, and stronger collaboration between academia and industry. This partnership is expected to create more opportunities for students to gain industry exposure, develop their skills, and pursue career pathways relevant to the evolving agriculture and agribusiness sectors.

Through AgriYouth Talks 2026, MEKAR reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s real economic growth through financial literacy enhancement, young talent development, and cross-sector collaboration. As part of the MEKAR Ecosystem, the company not only expands access to productive financing for communities and businesses but also promotes sustainable agriculture through MANU and encourages more environmentally responsible resource and energy management.

MEKAR believes that Indonesia’s future requires strong collaboration among the financial, education, agriculture, and sustainability sectors. By investing in young generations, innovation, and the real economy, AgriYouth Talks 2026 is expected to become a catalyst for nurturing more young talents ready to create positive impacts for society and contribute to Indonesia’s sustainable development.