PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), together with the Indonesia Agrichemical Research Institute (IARI), once again encourages the creation of various innovations to support increased agricultural production through the FertInnovation Challenge 2025 program.

Rahmad Pribadi, President Director of Pupuk Indonesia, stated that the company recognizes the importance of continuously promoting innovation and sustainable collaboration with various stakeholders. This program is open to young talents, researchers, startups, and professionals to innovate and address emerging challenges in Indonesia’s fertilizer and agricultural industries.

“The government has set a target for food self-sufficiency and envisions Indonesia as a global food hub. Therefore, Pupuk Indonesia is providing broad opportunities for young talents, researchers, startups, and professionals to contribute to achieving this goal through research and technological ideas in agriculture and food,” said Rahmad in Jakarta, Thursday (October 9, 2025).

Rahmad further explained that food self-sufficiency has become a government priority agenda in 2025, as reflected in the increased budget allocation and the formulation of the National Food Plan 2025–2029. The government is also strengthening its intervention through land expansion and paddy field development programs to support domestic food production. The FertInnovation Challenge 2025 program aligns with these efforts as a platform for generating innovative ideas that can enhance production, efficiency, and sustainability within the national food system.

“I hope the FertInnovation Challenge 2025, in collaboration with the Indonesia Agrichemical Research Institute, will not merely serve as an idea competition, but evolve into a sustainable innovation ecosystem that promotes efficiency, strengthens competitiveness, and maintains our collective relevance in the face of global dynamics. Through FertInnovation Challenge 2025, we ensure that innovation will make a tangible contribution to the future of Indonesia’s food and industrial sectors,” Rahmad explained.

This year’s FertInnovation Challenge carries the theme “Cultivating Innovation, Achieving Food Self-Sufficiency.” It features four strategic categories, namely, Precision Agriculture & Digital Farming, Climate-Resilient & Sustainable Fertilizer, AI-Driven Agri Supply Chain, and Process & Plant Engineering

The program runs from October 6 to November 20, 2025. These four categories are designed to address major challenges in the agricultural sector today, including the adoption of digital technologies (sensors, AI, and IoT), the transformation of fertilizer production processes, and the development of efficient and environmentally friendly supply chain management. Pupuk Indonesia believes that innovations aligned with industry needs and technological readiness will be key to accelerating the transition toward modern and sustainable agriculture.

The paper selection process will shortlist participants into the Top 1,000, then Top 10, followed by a Final Pitching stage. The FertInnovation Challenge 2025 Awarding Ceremony is scheduled for December.

The best ideas will be evaluated and developed within the Pupuk Indonesia Group incubation program for potential commercialization. In addition, FertInnovation Challenge 2025 winners will receive cash prizes, mentoring and coaching opportunities, internships, and collaboration opportunities with Pupuk Indonesia.

Since its first launch in 2021, the program has attracted more than 1,300 innovative ideas and involved 37 institutions/partners, making it one of the most prestigious innovation platforms in Indonesia’s agricultural sector. Registration and detailed information are available on Pupuk Indonesia’s official social media (@pt.pupukindonesia), the official website www.fertinnovation.sustagri.id, and on social media accounts @fertinnovationid (Instagram and TikTok). “Through this event, we invite all stakeholders to actively participate in continuously fostering sustainable innovations for a more advanced Indonesia,” Rahmad concluded.