Jakarta, August 30, 2024 – PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) has once again honored inspirational farmers, or food heroes, through the Svarna Bhumi Award 2024. This annual program is dedicated to encouraging innovation and the regeneration of farmers to support national food security.

Pupuk Indonesia President Director Rahmad Pribadi stated that farmers are the backbone of Indonesia’s agricultural sector and national resilience. With the spirit of Indonesia's 79th Independence Day this year, Pupuk Indonesia is committed not only to supporting agriculture through fertilizer provision but also to promoting technology adoption, agricultural sustainability, and providing recognition.

“Tonight, we are celebrating and recognizing those who have contributed significantly to Indonesia, our national food heroes. However, it's not just about the recognition; we also want to inspire others. We hope that more people will follow in their footsteps and dedicate themselves to the nation,” Rahmad said.

Rahmad further mentioned that this recognition serves as both a form of appreciation from Pupuk Indonesia and motivation for other farmers to continue innovating and developing the agricultural sector. This is especially important given the current challenges facing food security, including global geopolitical dynamics and climate change, which require attention, support, and collaboration from various parties.

“In the 1980s, Indonesia achieved food sovereignty with a population of about 170 million. Now, with a population of 280 million and shrinking agricultural land, food sovereignty is a major challenge. Without these inspirational figures, it’s hard to imagine achieving this goal. I hope that even small contributions like these can be a foundation for Indonesia to face the future with optimism,” Rahmad added.

Through Svarna Bhumi 2024, Pupuk Indonesia honors food heroes who are not only farmers but also those from other professions, such as agripreneurs and women activists. The award recipients have consistently developed innovations in the agricultural sector over the past 2-3 years, making significant social, economic, and environmental impacts on the national agricultural industry.

Svarna Bhumi Award 2024 marks its second edition since its inception in 2023. The program is a collaboration between Pupuk Indonesia and the Yayasan Benih Baik. The selection of the winners also involved three other judges: Andy F. Noya, Founder of Yayasan Benih Baik; Tri Mumpuni, Chairperson of IBEKA Foundation and Advisory Board Member of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN); and Rhenald Kasali, Founder of Rumah Perubahan.

Andy F. Noya, one of the judges, shared his insights: “Living in a village, I have witnessed firsthand how the spirit of young people is reviving in developing agriculture in rural areas. We agree that this award not only inspires farmers but also motivates the younger generation to return to their villages and build agriculture there,” he said