PSP3 IPB University and Baznas RI Kick Off Santripreneur Program, Encouraging Santri Entrepreneurship in the Field of Agriculture

The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) in collaboration with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (PSP3) IPB University is conducting the Santripreneur Program Kick Off of the 2024 Agricultural Entrepreneur Competition online, Thursday (5/9). This initiative is aimed at empowering santri as business actors in seven main fields: agriculture, fisheries, agricultural facilities, agricultural products, agricultural technology, animal sciences, and forestry.

In his speech, Prof drh Deni Noviana, Vice Rector of IPB University for Education and Student Affairs, emphasized the importance of santri as an integral part of Indonesia’s human resource strength. 

“With more than 39,000 Islamic boarding schools and more than 7 million santri across Indonesia, santri have great potential to become agents of change in achieving the Golden Indonesia 2045,” he said.

He also encouraged santri to continue to adapt to the times, especially in facing economic, food, energy, and political challenges. “The spirit of the santri’s jihad resolution must burn until now, in the sense of the struggle to face economic and political crises in the modern era,” he added.

Prof Deni also praised the Santripreneur program as a strategic step in promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship among santri. “This program is a concrete manifestation in developing a generation of young santripreneurs who are productive, innovative, and resilient,” he said. 

“I believe this program can have a significant and broad impact on the nation’s economic development, especially since IPB University as one of the best universities in Indonesia has experience and high commitment to produce entrepreneurs with a pattern of education and mentoring through business incubation,” he continued.

The development of this entrepreneurship program is considered to be able to overcome the problem of unemployment in Indonesia and make the most of the demographic bonus.

Dr H M Imdadun Rahmat, Deputy II of Baznas RI, explained that the program targets final-year students and graduates who have entrepreneurial skills. 

“The competition scheme involves the selection of a business plan, where the winners will be recruited and receive intensive mentoring and training to help santri to become successful entrepreneurs and be in a position to create jobs,” he explained.

Imdadun added that santri who have received special education in pesantren, have independence and skills that are very valuable. “Santri have the advantages in terms of independence and skills, which are valuable assets to be developed in entrepreneurship.” 

“With the support of IPB University, which is known as a center of excellence in agricultural and rural development, this program is expected to have a significant impact,” he concluded.

The program kick off ended with a presentation by Ade Wardhana Adinata, CEO of Minaqu Indonesia, who discussed the theme ‘Optimizing the Role of Santri in Agricultural Entrepreneurship’. This event marks the beginning of IPB University’s commitment to become a driving force to give birth to a generation of innovative and productive young santripreneurs, and strengthen the contribution of santri to Indonesia’s economic and social progress. (MW/Rz) (IAAS/ZQA)