November 10, 2025 | 08:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Young innovators from across Indonesia gathered at the Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 in Jakarta, November 8, 2025, to present impact-driven innovations to accelerate the country’s agrifood systems transformation.
“The innovations are proof that Indonesian youths can respond to global challenges with impactful and smart local solutions," said Esa Sukmawijaya, the deputy assistant for Global Youth Development of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as quoted from a release received by Tempo on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The competition serves as a starting line for Indonesia's youths to better serve the country, and a momentum for the government to bolster collaboration to support young people’s innovations, said Esa.
The competition was co-organized by the UN-backed Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as youth-driven organizations, Pijar Foundation and World Food Forum Indonesian chapter.
A total of 12 early-stage start-ups and six policy papers were shortlisted from over 230 submissions under the theme of ‘Circular Economy for A Sustainable Future’. These innovations cover a wide range of areas, including ensuring integrated and sustainable agrifood systems, improving inclusive access to capital, empowering farmers with applicable technologies, and helping Indonesia reduce its food loss and waste.
FAO recognizes the persistent challenge that the youths are facing, according to FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rajendra Aryal. Young innovators across the country brim with ideas but only a few platforms are connecting them to nationwide opportunities and policy influence.
"Youth Innovation Challenge was created to bridge this gap, helping transform early-stage ideas into scalable solutions for communities in need,” Rajendra said.
In Indonesia, farmers are ageing with about 80% of them being 40 years and older, according to 2023 Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data. Meanwhile, half of Indonesia’s unemployed are young people aged 15-29 years old.
The challenge is global. FAO’s 2025 report ‘The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems’ reveals that over 20 percent of youth are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
"Bridging the employment gap for youth in agriculture could increase the global economy by 1.4 percent, equal to 1.5 trillion US dollars,” Rajendra added.
Youth Innovation Challenge provided participating youths with mentorship and training that offered them practical insights and personalized guidance to strengthen their business strategies, scalability and impact, as well as networking opportunities with industry experts and investors.
Their aspirations were also voiced directly to government representatives from the Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, and Ministry of Youth and Sports through a policy dialogue.
”Youth Innovation Challenge is not just a competition; it is the beginning of a collective movement," said Pijar Foundation Executive Director Cazadira F. Tamzil, adding that it unites various stakeholders, including the government and the young generation, to ensure the innovative ideas are implemented and integrated into policies and real actions.
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