THROUGH THE HARVESTION PROGRAM, PETROKIMIA GRESIK ENCOURAGES STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF AGRICULTURAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN EAST JAVA TO INNOVATE FOR NATIONAL FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Petrokimia Gresik, an Agroindustrial Solutions company and a member of the Pupuk Indonesia holding company, is encouraging students and teachers from Agricultural Vocational High Schools (SMK) in East Java to innovate and play an active role in developing the agricultural sector to ensure national food self-sufficiency. Petrokimia Gresik is implementing this initiative through the Harvestion (Harvest and Innovation) 2025 innovation event, the winners of which were announced some time ago.

Petrokimia Gresik's President Director, Daconi Khotob, stated that Agricultural Vocational High Schools (SMK) exist in nearly every regency/city in East Java. Innovations from these regions are brought together under the Harvestion platform, allowing stakeholders to optimize them for the advancement of agriculture in Indonesia.

"Many agricultural innovations emerge from the regions. However, these breakthroughs often fail to be widely utilized due to lack of exposure. In this event, we gather and appreciate the innovations of students and teachers from Agricultural Vocational High Schools in East Java, so they can provide greater benefits and contributions to future agricultural progress," said Daconi.

He further emphasized that Harvestion was developed as a "magnet" to attract the interest of young vocational high school students to actively participate in the development of the agricultural sector. This program also demonstrates Petrokimia Gresik's contribution to encouraging agricultural regeneration in Indonesia, which currently requires attention from many parties.

"Students of Agricultural Vocational High Schools are young people focused on learning about agriculture. We invite them to contribute to the advancement of agriculture, which is now increasingly technologically advanced. One such platform is Harvestion, in addition to other programs run by Petrokimia Gresik," he added.

Harvestion 2025 was attended by 28 vocational high schools in East Java, with a total of 124 participating teams involving 338 students and teachers. This number demonstrates the enthusiasm of the young generation who are not only inheriting but also ready to revolutionize Indonesia's agribusiness sector.

The first-place winner of Harvestion 2025 in the Agricultural Olympiad category was SMKN 1 Purwosari, second-place winner was SMKN 1 Tekung, and third-place winner was SMKN 1 Malang. Next, in the Innovation and Technology category, SMKN 3 Madiun won first place, SMKN 3 Madiun second place, and SMKN 8 Jember third place. Finally, the School Lab Farming category was won by SMKN 1 Kademangan, SMKN 8 Jember second place, and SMK Muhammadiyah 5 Gresik third place.

Meanwhile, Harvestion is a Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program initiated by Petrokimia Gresik as a concrete effort to promote local food self-sufficiency through the active role of Agricultural Vocational Schools (SMK Pertanian). This competition-based and educational program encourages the use of school land as a living laboratory for agricultural innovation, sustainable agricultural practices, appropriate technology, and agro-entrepreneurship.

Harvestion is an evolution of Gempita (Generation of Innovative and Resilient Young Farmers), which was held in 2024. Last year, Gempita attracted 62 teams from 28 vocational schools in East Java, competing on innovative agricultural ideas.

The success of Gempita in 2024 led to the evolution of the competition, making it broader and more comprehensive, addressing the needs of educational development. Harvestion 2025 is an academic competition in agriculture aimed at strengthening the capacity of vocational schools (SMK), encouraging innovation and local food independence, and strengthening collaboration between vocational education and the agricultural industry.

This program also aims to build networks among agricultural vocational schools (SMK) in East Java, increasing their contribution to regional food security and strengthening an inclusive agro-industrial ecosystem. This program is also supported by the East Java Provincial Education Office.

"Through Harvestion, Petrokimia Gresik wants to continue to promote food self-sufficiency by involving the younger generation in agriculture, green industrial transformation, and local food security," concluded Daconi.