After an intense week of field visits, expert training, and solution development, 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. Explore each team’s concept solutions in detail here: https://asiaclimatelab.com/project-area/water-for-food-challenge/
After careful consideration, Team Agro Floats emerged as the “Winning Team” for their holistic proposal, 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!
(from left to right) Figure 1. Agro Floats won the Winning Team award; Figure 2. SolarPure Pioneers won the Favorite Team award
With this, the Water for Food Youth Challenge: Pekalongan Edition has concluded. It has been an incredible journey of innovation and collaboration, leaving a foundation for sustainable changes in Pekalongan City’s agriculture sector. Now, we are excited to see their evolution into tangible solutions in the years to come!
Figure 3. Group photo with the participants, juries, and organisers
