Studium Generale: Exploring the Potential of the Elevarm Ecosystem for Sustainable Agriculture in Indonesia
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id — The KU-4078 Studium Generale lecture was once again held on Wednesday (3/4/2024) at the West Hall, ITB Ganesha Campus, Bandung, and also broadcasted via the ITB Official Zoom and Youtube platforms.
In this session, Co-Founder & Chief Agriculture Officer of Elevarm and a nominee for Forbes 30 Under 30, Lintang Kusuma Pratiwi, took the stage to discuss the theme “How to Build a Sustainable Agriculture Ecosystem ‘Elevarm’?"
As for the information, Lintang is an alumnus of ITB Agricultural Engineering. In the beginning of her presentation, she recalled her journey at ITB from her early days as a new student to her present endeavors. She shared how she and her colleagues came together to establish an agritech-based startup, Elevarm.
Lintang also explained the backstory behind the establishment of Elevarm. According to her, the establishment of Elevarm was driven by their concern over the dwindling interest of young people in farming.
"At the same moment, the consumption of food products continues to rise, and the agricultural sector remains the second-largest contributor to Indonesia's GDP. In 2023, the agricultural sector contributed 18.67% to Indonesia's gross domestic income," she highlighted.
"Agriculture cannot solely rely on one aspect for support, such as capital assistance or fertilizers alone. There must be a comprehensive system and Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the assistance provided," she continued.
Elevarm has since grown substantially, boasting approximately 80 teams. The startup is committed to developing a sustainable system that supports farmers throughout the production cycle, from inception to marketing.
"Elevarm is advancing three core principles of circularity, which are delivering high-quality inputs, enhancing agricultural productivity, and expanding market access," she stated.
She also underscored Elevarm's dedication to addressing the impacts it generates, focusing on both its farmers and its surrounding environment. Through their commitment outlined in five key pillars, Elevarm aims to generate lasting benefits for its stakeholders.
The five pillars consist of environmental sustainability, socio-economic welfare, literacy and capacity building, inclusiveness, and productivity.
Ending her presentation, Lintang emphasized the agricultural sector in Indonesia that offers vast opportunities for growth. She expressed hope for increasing numbers of youth engagement in advancing the agricultural landscape of the country.
Reporter: Indira Akmalia Hendri (Urban and Regional Planning, 2021)
Translator: Hanifa Juliana (Urban and Regional Planning, 2020)
Editor: Kezia Hosana
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