Food Crop Production Technology Students from Hasanuddin University Win 3rd Place at the 2nd Sustainable Innovation National Essay Competition (SINEC) 2026
Four students from the Food Crop Production Technology Study Program, Vocational Faculty, Hasanuddin University, successfully won 3rd Place at the 2nd Sustainable Innovation National Essay Competition (SINEC) 2026, a national-level scientific essay competition organized by Cakap Riset under the subtheme of Food Security.
The team, consisting of Widya Amalia as team leader, along with Auliah Rifqah Fadhilah, Syahri Ramadani, and Zalwah Almayra, presented an essay titled "Bio Seed Tray: Innovation of Biodegradable Seedling Media Based on Agricultural Waste with Natural Plant Growth Regulators (PGR)," under the guidance of supervising lecturer Irwan, S.TP., M.TP. The team successfully passed the preliminary round, which was held online on May 16–17, 2026, before advancing to the final round, held in person at the campus of Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta on June 27–28, 2026. In the final round, the team was represented by two of its members, Widya Amalia and Auliah Rifqah Fadhilah.
In their essay, the team introduced the concept of the Bio Seed Tray as an environmentally friendly seedling medium made from corn husk waste and rice husks, combined with natural plant growth regulators (PGR) derived from shallots and bean sprouts. This innovation was developed as a solution to the reliance on plastic seedling trays, which are difficult to decompose, while also addressing the problem of root damage caused by the transplanting process. In addition to being biodegradable, the Bio Seed Tray is also designed to better support the early growth of plants.
This achievement is welcome news and a positive milestone for the Food Crop Production Technology Study Program, Vocational Faculty, Hasanuddin University, in the field of national-level scientific essay competitions. This accomplishment is hoped to motivate other students to continue actively competing in national scientific events.
