The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), through the Lentera DESA platform, officially established a strategic Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Coordinating Ministry for Food of the Republic of Indonesia, specifically through the Assistant Deputy for Improving Agricultural Product Competitiveness. The initiation of this collaboration began with a discussion and sharing session held at the Joglo of Faperta UGM on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
This meeting focused on aligning perceptions and formulating a shared vision for the coming years. Through this synergy, the drafted roadmap for capacity building of agricultural human resources (HR) will be implemented in a structured manner, particularly in strengthening digital literacy and skills at the grassroots level. The output of this cooperative program is targeted to generate evidence-based policy recommendations as well as pilot project documents that can be adapted by relevant technical ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
The event was attended directly by the Assistant Deputy for Improving Agricultural Product Competitiveness of the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Silvi Charlote Sumanti, S.E., M.S.E., alongside the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation of Faperta UGM, Prof. Subejo, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D. Also present representing the Lentera DESA Faperta UGM team were Alia Bihrajihant Raya, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., Mgs. Muhammad Prima Putra, S.Pi., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Dr. Ishadiyanto Salim, M.Pd.
The collaboration is expected to accelerate digital transformation in the agricultural sector, strengthen the competitiveness of local products, and promote sustainable farmer welfare in the digital economy era. It also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through strengthening digital literacy and skills among agricultural human resources; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through increased productivity and competitiveness of agricultural enterprises; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through digital transformation and the development of pilot projects; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through expanding access to digital knowledge and skills at the grassroots level; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between higher education institutions and government agencies in advancing evidence-based agricultural development.
Through Lentera DESA, Faperta UGM continues to strengthen its role in developing adaptive and competent agricultural human resources and supporting an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation of the agricultural sector.
Writer: Rani Nur Rochim
Editor: Tantriani
Documentation: Lentera DESA Team