JEMBER — Jember State Polytechnic (Polije) has encouraged students to strengthen food security through its 2026 World Food Day commemoration, held on Tuesday, October 27. The event was organized by Pangan Solidarity (Pady), the student association of the Food Crop Production Technology Study Program, to raise awareness and promote agricultural innovation.

Hanif Fatur Rohman, S.P., M.P., Secretary of Polije’s Department of Agricultural Production, attended the event on behalf of department head Dwi Rahmawati, S.P., M.P. He expressed appreciation to the lecturers, study program administrators, and students who supported the event.

Hanif emphasized that World Food Day should serve as more than a ceremonial occasion. Instead, it should encourage greater awareness of food-related issues. He noted that students need to take an active role in addressing agricultural challenges, including land conversion and climate change.

“Food security and sovereignty in the future are in all our hands. Therefore, students need to continue innovating, developing knowledge, and making tangible contributions to the advancement of Indonesia’s agricultural sector,” Hanif said.

He hoped the World Food Day event would inspire students to develop solutions based on scientific knowledge and agricultural technology.

“We hope students will become more aware of local and global food issues. Use this event as motivation to keep learning, conducting research, and developing solutions for the community,” he added.

The 2026 World Food Day commemoration also featured a talk show titled “Food Self-Sufficiency Amid Global Pressures: Addressing Import Dependence and Exploring Food Export Opportunities.” The discussion highlighted challenges to food self-sufficiency and opportunities to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian food products in global markets.

The session gave students an opportunity to broaden their understanding of import dependence and the export potential of food commodities. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of innovation, agricultural technology, and increased productivity in strengthening national food self-sufficiency.

Rudi Wardana, S.Pd., M.P., Coordinator of the Food Crop Production Technology Study Program, stressed the importance of innovation in addressing climate change, limited land availability, and growing food demand. He said these challenges require agricultural systems that are productive, efficient, and sustainable.

“Through vocational education, applied research, and community service, we hope to make tangible contributions to agricultural development and food security in Indonesia,” Rudi said.

He also encouraged students to view agriculture as a strategic sector offering promising future opportunities.

“Become a younger generation that loves agriculture, dares to innovate, masters technology, and recognizes agriculture as an opportunity for the future,” he added.

Rudi hoped the World Food Day commemoration would lead to continued action beyond the event itself. He encouraged participants to value food, respect farmers’ hard work, reduce food waste, and protect the sustainability of natural resources.

Through this event, Polije encourages students to contribute to food security through knowledge, technology, and collaboration. This commitment aligns with the 2026 World Food Day slogan: “Strong Food, Sovereign Nation, Captivating World.”