The Sleman Regency Millennial Farmer Economic Empowerment Team, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, chaired by Dody Kastono, S.P., M.P., received an award as “Strategic Partner for Human Resource Development for Millennial Farmers in Sleman Regency”. The award was given by the Regent of Sleman, Dra. Hj. Kustini Sri Purnomo, at the Sleman Multipurpose Building in the Acceleration event for 1000 Sleman Millennial Farmers Towards Downstream Agricultural Products on Wednesday, 31 July 2024.
On this occasion, the Regent of Sleman expressed her hope that the Sleman millennial farmer group could play a major role in improving community welfare. On the other hand, Chairman of the Millennial Farmers of Komda Sleman, Taufiq Mawadani, hopes that millennial farmers’ products will become the main products sought after in DIY and Indonesia, so that product down streaming becomes the main focus.
Head of the Agricultural Education Centre, Dr. Idha Widi Arsanti, S.P., M.P., who was also present at the event, said that millennial farmers need to understand and have sufficient skills in recording agricultural business finances. Dr. Idha added, this will be achieved through the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Support Services Scaling-Up Intervention (YESS-SI) Program which will be carried out in Sleman Regency starting in 2025.
“Millennial farmers need to realize and understand how important it is to regulate agricultural business finances in order to regulate instalments of people’s business credit (KUR). “Later, millennial farmers who are members of the YESS-SI program will receive training facilities,” explained Dr. Idha.
Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service and Cooperation, Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Prof. Subejo, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D. responded that the collaboration efforts that have been carried out by local governments, private corporations, millennial farmers and Faculty of Agriculture UGM have a strategic role and are a model for down streaming and assisting innovation from universities to the community [millennial farmers] which is supported by the regional government of Sleman Regency with off taker PT Indomarco. This partnership cooperation pattern is a very prospective model and can be developed for other commodities and can be replicated in other regions. Faculty of Agriculture UGM has a strong commitment to be actively involved in this partnership cooperation pattern.
The involvement of Faculty of Agriculture UGM in empowering the economy of millennial farmers in Sleman Regency is a manifestation of their high commitment to achieving the goals of SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: No Hunger, SDG 3: Healthy and Prosperous Lives, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnership to Achieve Goals.
Reporter: Hanita Athasari Zain
Editor: Desi Utami
Photo: Media Faperta