Superior Agricultural Human Resources Must Be Continuously Produced
The Ministry of Agriculture has officially held the National Graduation Ceremony for the Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan) and the Indonesian Agricultural Engineering Polytechnic (PEPI) for the 2025/2026 Academic Year. The event, which took place at the Auditorium of Building F, Ministry of Agriculture Head Office in Jakarta, confirmed a total of 1,229 graduates from across Indonesia.
Of that total, the Yogyakarta-Magelang Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan Yoma) contributed 309 graduates. This achievement drew particular attention as it demonstrates the absorption rate of agricultural vocational graduates in both international and domestic job markets before they officially received their diploma degrees.
One of the most impressive achievements in this year’s graduation was the participation of 19 Polbangtan Yoma graduates who joined the ceremony online directly from Japan. These graduates have begun working at various companies in Japan through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme.
Director of Polbangtan Yoma, R. Hermawan, explained that this success was supported by an intensive strategy of providing Japanese language and cultural training. In addition to the 19 people already in Japan, there are 7 other graduates scheduled to depart in stages.
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, in his address, stressed that Ministry of Agriculture vocational graduates must become the driving force of modern agriculture. He emphasised the importance of the role of graduates as problem solvers in the field.
“The strength of vocational graduates lies not only in what they know, but in what they are able to do and what problems they are able to solve. I want to see young agripreneurs emerge who are capable of creating jobs, not merely job seekers,” said Minister Amran in a statement on Tuesday (18/8/2026).
In line with this, Head of the Agricultural Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BPPSDMP), Idha Widi Arsanti, stated that the current vocational education curriculum is directed towards ensuring graduates are adaptive to agricultural digitalisation and possess strong leadership qualities.
Director of Polbangtan Yoma, R. Hermawan, added that during the four years of education, students are equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with ethics and professional attitudes. He expressed hope that alumni can make a real contribution to sustainable food self-sufficiency and the modernisation of agriculture in Indonesia.
With 68 graduates absorbed by national companies and 21 individuals confidently pursuing entrepreneurship in the livestock and agricultural sectors before graduation, Polbangtan Yoma has proven the effectiveness of vocational education in producing superior human resources that are globally competitive. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday (13/8/2026).