From Concept to Innovation: The
Behind the success of the competition lies the hard work and teamwork of the student organizing committee from the UKM Ruang Tani at the State Polytechnic of Bangka Belitung (Polman Negeri Babel) in executing the 2026 National Agrotech Essay Competition (NAEC).
The Ruang Tani (RUTAMAN) Student Activity Unit at the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic successfully organized the National Agrotech Essay Competition (NAEC) and the 2026 National Farmers' Day Seminar online on Thursday (September 24, 2026).
The 2026 National Farmers' Day Seminar drew 275 participants from various higher education institutions across Indonesia, including the Police Academy, Brawijaya University, Bandung Manufacturing Polytechnic, Diponegoro University, Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic, Asia Cyber University, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Bandung State Polytechnic, IPB University, Sriwijaya University, State University of Surabaya, UIN Alauddin Makassar, and several others.
Muhammad Irfan Al Ghifary, the organizing committee chair for the NAEC and the 2026 National Farmers' Day Seminar, stated that the event was held to provide experience for the committee members while simultaneously fostering a space for collaboration within the agricultural sector.
He also expressed deep gratitude for the successful execution of the NAEC and the 2026 National Farmers' Day Seminar. As this was the inaugural event, it offered valuable learning opportunities—both through the seminar and the essay competition—and provided the motivation to further develop the initiative in the future.
“ NAEC can serve as a platform for students—both from Polman Babel and across Indonesia—to present their ideas and innovations in the agricultural sector,” she added.
Anisa Shofiyah Anjani, the head of the Polman Babel student organization *Ruang Tani* (RUTAMAN), emphasized that participating in NAEC was a valuable experience; she noted that the event required not only writing skills but also the ability to identify agricultural issues and formulate ideas that could serve as solutions.
Meanwhile, Mahmudin, S.P., M.Si., the advisor for *Ruang Tani*, remarked that this activity highlights how the agricultural sector requires more than just physical labor and natural resources; it demands knowledge, innovation, technology, and human resources capable of meeting the challenges of the times.
Furthermore, the event allows students to learn how to articulate their ideas while viewing agricultural issues from a broader perspective, fostering personal growth and generating benefits for both the participants and the wider community.
“ Although this is the first time the event has been held, it offers students an opportunity to achieve success and develop ideas within the agricultural sector,” he noted.
He added that, following the judging process, awards were presented to the top participants of the National Agrotech Essay Competition (NAEC) 2026 who demonstrated the ability to present creative, innovative, and solution-oriented ideas to address various challenges in agriculture.
First place went to Arvito Tristan Kurniawan and his team from the Police Academy; second place was awarded to Nazwa Hafidzah and her team from Brawijaya University; and third place went to Nurman Saptaji Suryandaru and his team from the Bandung Manufacturing Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, the first runner-up award went to Diana Alfira Cahyani and her team from Diponegoro University; the second runner-up award went to Alfahri Syazian Habi and his team from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic; and the third runner-up award went to Muhammad Zainudin Akbar from Asia Cyber University," concluded Mahmudin.
