Agricultural Socioeconomic Week (ASW) is an annual entrepreneurship seminar organized by the Agricultural Socioeconomic Student Family (KMSEP). This activity was held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, and was attended by 160 participants from the general public and students. This event is a platform for UGM Faculty of Agriculture students to increase their insight and motivation in developing business in the agricultural sector. This year’s theme raised at ASW is “Learn and Act: Increasing Entrepreneurial Attitudes in the Agricultural Sector,” reflecting the enthusiasm for learning and acting to increase the entrepreneurial spirit in the agricultural sector. This theme aims to provide motivation and guidance for students interested in developing business in agriculture while also showing the importance of concrete action in facing challenges in the field.
ASW 2023 will feature three speakers who are competent in their fields. Each speaker brought extraordinary material, teaching participants about various aspects of entrepreneurship in agriculture. Riza Perdana Kusuma (Founder of Indonesia Leadership School) discussed marketing strategies in general, providing insight into how to convince potential consumers to be interested and buy agricultural products. Erns Saptenno (Representative of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy) discussed policies in agricultural business, highlighting the assistance and facilities available for those who want to build an industry in this sector. Lastly, no less attractive, Janu Muhammad (Founder of Sayur Sleman) shared his experience in building the “Sayur Sleman” business, providing inspiration and practical guidance for prospective agricultural entrepreneurs.
After the material delivery session, the activity continued with a Q&A session. Participants looked very enthusiastic, as evidenced by the many questions asked. It shows that events provide insight and build direct interaction between speakers and participants, creating space for the exchange of ideas and thoughts.
All ASW 2023 activities are closely related to implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the context of sustainable agriculture. The theme “Learn and Act” describes a commitment to learn and act by the principles of sustainable development. The material presented by the speakers also prioritized aspects of sustainability, creating a positive relationship between entrepreneurial activities and sustainable development goals. Overall, ASW 2023 is not just an entrepreneurship seminar but also an event that inspires and encourages students to play an active role in realizing positive change in the agricultural sector through the principles of sustainable entrepreneurship.