The Water for Food Youth Challenge: Pekalongan Edition culminated on 19th December, 2024, with a final pitching session at IPB University, Bogor. The five teams of IPB University students presented their innovative water-agriculture solutions to tackle food security challenges in Pekalongan City, showcasing their potential impacts.
The session began with opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Ir. Iskandar Zulkarnaen Siregar, Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration, and Alumni at IPB University, and Carrina Lim, Regional Program Manager at The Water Agency. Both shared words of encouragement, setting the stage for the teams to present to a distinguished panel of judges.
The esteemed judges joining to evaluate the teams’ solutions were:
- Rajendra Aryal – Representative/Country Director for Indonesia and Timor Leste, FAO
- Lili Sulistyawati, SPi., MSi. – Head of Agriculture and Food Agency, Pekalongan City
- Hanhan Ahmad Sofiyuddin, S.TP., M.Agr. – Head of General Affairs and Administration, Technical Implementation Unit for Irrigation
- Dr. Ir. Ahmad Junaedi, MSi. – Senior Lecturer in Agronomy and Horticulture, IPB University
After a brief introduction to the jury, the much-anticipated final pitching session began. Each team took turns presenting their innovative solutions. From nature-based solutions to digital approaches, the ideas shared were nothing short of inspiring.
First Team: Sisielsi
Sisielsi proposed a Smart Drainage System combined with a Pyramid Desalinator to address saline soil and water scarcity. The system uses sensors to monitor soil and water salinity in real-time, while the cost-efficient, solar-powered Pyramid Desalinator converts seawater or river water into fresh water. This dual solution aims to help farmers adapt to climate challenges while boosting productivity and income.
Second Team: Water Rangers
Water Rangers presented a solution using constructed wetlands for irrigation water treatment and redesigned irrigation channels for improved efficiency. This approach promotes sustainable paddy irrigation, restores soil quality, and enhances water quality and availability while creating agroedutourism opportunities.
Third Team: SolarPure Pioneers
The team combined SolarPure, a saltwater purification system with integrated solar energy and evaporation techniques, and the traditional Surjan farming technique to address salinity and water scarcity. This combination improves irrigation, soil fertility, and crop diversity, enabling resilient polyculture planting to strengthen food security.
Fourth Team: Agro Floats
Agro Floats developed the RCC System (Restore-Catchment-Cooperations) to rehabilitate saline soil through bioremediation, enhance water retention with IoT-supported retention ponds, and foster community empowerment through training programs. This solution proposal targets increased food security, economic growth, and community sustainability.
Fifth Team: Water Consultant
Water Consultant proposed the S.A.V.E. Strategy (Sustainable Agricultural Revitalization Strategy for the Pekalongan Ecosystem), focusing on soil salinity management, adaptive water management, versatile crop rotation, and farmers empowerment through various workshops. Their strategy aims to improve soil health, ensure reliable water supply, and promote sustainable farming practices to enhance productivity.
The competition was intense, as all teams were equally innovative. After careful consideration, Team Agro Floats emerged as the “Winning Team” for their holistic RCC system, while SolarPure Pioneers won the audience’s hearts through public voting as the “Favorite Team”. A huge round of applause goes out to all participants, and special congratulations to all winners!
With this, the Water for Food Youth Challenge has concluded. It has been an incredible journey of innovation and collaboration, leaving a foundation for sustainable changes in Pekalongan City’s agriculture sector. We want to take this moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, experts, and participants who have made it possible. Your contributions were truly meaningful, and we couldn’t have done it without your invaluable support and participation.
As the program ends, it leaves behind a blueprint for youth-driven initiatives, laying a foundation for resilient agricultural practices and environmental stewardship. The ideas born here have the potential to create lasting positive impacts in Pekalongan and beyond, and we eagerly anticipate their evolution into tangible solutions in the years to come.
