Six Hasanuddin University Vocational Faculty Lecturers Secure 2026 PDPU Research Grants, Advancing Agribusiness, Supply Chain, and Food Security

There is something that quietly grows within every university: ideas.

They emerge from classrooms, laboratories, conversations after lectures, and from a shared concern for challenges that persist in society. Not every idea transforms the world, but every meaningful change begins with an idea that is given the opportunity to grow.

This year, that opportunity came through Hasanuddin University's 2026 Beginner Lecturer Research Grant Program (PDPU). Six lecturers from the Food Agribusiness Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Hasanuddin University, have been awarded competitive research grants to pursue projects addressing pressing issues in agriculture, food systems, and rural development.

The achievement reflects not only the academic excellence of the grant recipients but also the study program's continued commitment to producing applied research that delivers tangible benefits to communities and industry.

The grant recipients are:

Ariella Ramadhani Putri, S.P., M.Si., whose research explores strategies for developing Robusta coffee agribusiness within the karst ecosystem of Simbang District, Maros Regency.

apt. Zulfikar Syamsi, S.Si., M.Agb., MCE, who investigates the integration of global supply chain data related to cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and its implications for strengthening local agro-industrial substitutes in Indonesia's pharmaceutical sector.

Andi Syastiawan, S.Pt., M.Si., whose study examines the sustainability of local food agribusiness in supporting Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals Program, focusing on both supplier farmers and beneficiary communities.

Igods Gabryaldo, S.T., M.Agb., who evaluates Shopee Marketplace costs and their impact on the profitability of local coffee SMEs through a case study of Toraja Gandangbatu Coffee.

Muhammad Ridwan, S.TP., M.Sc., Ph.D whose research analyzes the influence of agricultural extension training and land characteristics on rice productivity in non-swamp farming areas of Mamasa, West Sulawesi.

Andi Ermelda, S.P., M.Si., who investigates the socio-economic and institutional readiness of farmer groups to support Indonesia's Non-Swamp Land Optimization Program in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi.

Although diverse in scope, the six research projects share a common purpose: strengthening Indonesia's food system through practical, evidence-based solutions.

From sustainable coffee agribusiness and digital marketplaces to supply chain resilience, agricultural productivity, institutional development, and national nutrition programs, the selected projects demonstrate the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of agribusiness. Today's agricultural challenges extend beyond cultivation—they encompass technology, economics, public policy, and community empowerment.

For the Food Agribusiness Study Program, this achievement represents more than research funding. It is a testament to the program's dedication to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and applied scholarship.

As a vocational higher education institution, Hasanuddin University emphasizes research that extends beyond academic publication. Each project is expected to generate practical solutions that can be implemented by farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers, and local communities, ultimately contributing to sustainable food systems and regional development.

The Faculty of Vocational Studies congratulates the six grant recipients and hopes that their research will not only advance scientific knowledge but also inspire meaningful innovation and create lasting impacts for Indonesian agriculture.

Because the most meaningful research is not the one that ends in a report—it is the one that continues to improve people's lives.