Magelang, April 22, 2025 – The supervisor team of the Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) Internship Program from the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program (EPA), Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, carried out monitoring and evaluation activities for students who were undergoing the MBKM internship program at the Agriculture and Food Service Office of Magelang Regency.

During this visit, the accompanying lecturers discussed directly with the DPP of Magelang District, including the Head of the General and Personnel Subdivision, to review the development and contribution of students over the past two months. Currently, students are placed in several Agricultural Extension Centers (BPP) in various sub-districts and are scheduled to complete their placement in BPP on May 7, 2025.

As a follow-up, students are scheduled to attend the Agriculture and Food Agency office on May 6, 2025, to coordinate further internship placements. It is planned that in the following month, they will start carrying out internship activities at the DPP head office in Magelang District.

During the assignment at BPP, students participate in various extension and farmer assistance activities. The Borobudur area is one of the locations with the highest intensity of activities due to its status as a National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN), which also impacts the dynamics of local agriculture. This provides students with broader and more complex insights into understanding the relationship between tourism development and local agriculture.

This monitoring activity is part of a joint commitment to continuously improve the quality of MBKM program implementation. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this internship activity also supports the achievement of SDG 2 (No Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships to Achieve Goals).

Through students’ active involvement in the field, the EPA Study Program hopes to continue strengthening the synergy between educational institutions and local governments. The program aims to produce graduates who are competent, adaptive, and can make a real contribution to sustainable agricultural development.

Authors: Aprilia Dwi Hastuti
Website Admin of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM

Yogyakarta, April 10th, 2025 – The UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (EPA) Study Program again held Phase II Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) activities for students participating in the Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) Internship scheme. The activity on Thursday, April 10, 2025, online through the Zoom Meeting started at 13.00 WIB and was attended by MBKM participating students, MBKM supervisors, and representatives from internship partners spread across various agencies and companies.

This Monev activity aims to monitor how students have progressed in implementing internship activities lasting more than one month. Each student presented the progress of the activities they participated in, their learning achievements, and the challenges they faced while in the field. This reflects a real effort to improve the quality of education and work skills of the younger generation while encouraging inclusive and sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Students have generally adapted well, from being actively involved in agency/partner activities to compiling academic documents such as Pre KRS and activity logbooks.

Some examples can be seen in the internship students at the Agriculture and Food Security Office of Yogyakarta Special Region who have been placed in fields such as the Food Crops Division, the BP3M FTP Division, and the Seed Production and Quality Monitoring and Control Division. Students have contributed to various activities such as inputting data on harvest prices, yields, land area, Planted Added Area (LTT), Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B), and carrying out seed inspection activities. In addition, students also conducted field visits to Turi and Kulonprogo for RJIT (Tertiary Irrigation Network Plan) activities. This activity also strengthened students’ understanding of the importance of food security and efficient water resource management.

Meanwhile, students who interned at PT Natural Nusantara (NASA) Yogyakarta had the valuable opportunity to be involved in the Creative Digital Marketing division for agricultural product promotion activities. Students develop their skills in shooting pictures and videos, learn how to use the tools to make videos and compose visual narratives by product characteristics. Not only that, students also had the opportunity to visit PT NASA’s showroom in the form of a greenhouse and goat farm. This interaction enriched students’ understanding of technological innovation and entrepreneurship based on environmentally friendly agriculture.

On the other hand, students assigned to BULOG Yogyakarta Special Region were involved in many rice distribution monitoring activities, such as visiting milling partners, surveying BULOG-assisted partners, and conducting market operations.
One of the students was even involved in warehouse visits to support the smooth running of the SPHP (Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices) program, which is part of BULOG’s mission to maintain national food security. This contribution also strengthens a fair and equitable food logistics and distribution system.

The Monev results show that students are not just “interning” but are starting to build a critical understanding of the existing system in the field. Some have even begun to develop case studies or final report topics that will be converted into academic grades. Students interning at BULOG, for example, are creating a rice supply chain analysis to support food distribution efficiency. By doing so, students participate in building a resilient and sustainable food system.

Partner participation is also an essential element in the success of this program. Almost all partners who attended the Monev expressed support and appreciation for the enthusiasm and contribution of students. They provide feedback on student performance and open opportunities for further discussion to make students part of the solution to real problems in the agriculture and food sector. This collaboration is a real example of a partnership that supports sustainable development and improves community welfare. Through this activity, the EPA UGM Study Program shows its commitment to continuing to assist students in bridging between theory in the classroom and real practice in the world of work.

Author:Mirda Mutiara Eva
Website Admin of Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM

Yogyakarta, February 20, 2025 – 85 6th Semester Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (EPA) Study Program students at Universitas Gadjah Mada began implementing the MBKM Internship program on February 10, 2025. This program lasts for one semester and is spread across 23 partner institutions and companies, including:

1. 1. Dinas Pertanian dan Pangan Kabupaten Magelang (3 students)
   2. PT Hibrida Jaya Unggul (2 students)
   3. PT Erista Garden Asri (3 students)
   4. Dinas Pertanian dan Ketahanan Pangan DIY (6 students)
   5. Badan Pengawas Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BPKP) Pusat (6 students)
   6. PT Natural Nusantara (2 students)
   7. Dinas Pertanian, Pangan, dan Perikanan Kabupaten Sleman (8 students)
   8. BAPPEDA Kabupaten Sleman (1 students)
   9. Pusat Penelitian Teh dan Kina (PPTK) Gambung (3 students)
   10. Bank BRI Kanwil DIY (14 students)
   11. PT Pagilaran Pusat (2 students)
   12. PT Indigen Karya Unggul (4 students)
   13. Dinas Pertanian dan Pangan Kabupaten Gunungkidul (2 students)
   14. Bank BPD DIY (5 students)
   15. Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) Kabupaten Magelang (3 students)
   16. Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Pangan (5 students)
   17. Perum Perhutani Pusat (2 students)
   18. Perum Perhutani KPH Kedu Utara (Magelang) (3 students)
   19. BULOG DIY (3 students)
   20. BULOG Kabupaten Magelang (2 students)
   21. BULOG Kabupaten Banyumas (1 students)
   22. PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Regional 2-Medan (4 students)
   23. PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Regional 5-Pontianak (1 students)

The Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program aims to provide students with opportunities to learn directly in related institutions and companies. Using the concept of link and match between academics and the world of work, this program helps students gain practical experience, hone professional skills, and understand the dynamics of the agribusiness sector and agricultural economy firsthand.
The MBKM program allows students to convert this internship experience into 10-20 credits through the EPA Study Program curriculum. Thus, students can still fulfill learning outcomes without falling behind the academic curriculum.
Through this internship program, students are expected to develop professional competencies, industry networks, and a deeper understanding of the world of work in agribusiness and agricultural economics. With this experience, they are better prepared to compete in the world of work and make a real contribution to developing Indonesia’s agricultural and food sectors.

Keep your spirits up and make this internship experience a golden opportunity to learn, grow, and hone your skills in the working world! Good luck and give your best! 🎉👏

Author : Aprilia Dwi Hastuti
Admin of the Website for the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM

Yogyakarta, January 8, 2025 – The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), carried out the Socialization of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program for Ekonomi Pertanian dan Agribisnis (EPA) Study Program students class of 2022. This activity was conducted online through a Zoom Meeting attended by EPA Study Program lecturers and 2022 EPA Study Program students. The socialization aims to provide direction and information regarding the implementation of MBKM in the even semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. Some things discussed were the introduction of various MBKM programs offered and can be selected by students, the flow and conditions of MBKM implementation, especially for the type of MBKM Program Partners of EPA Study Program, then ended with a question and answer session by enthusiastic participants. The dynamic discussion reflected the great interest of students in this program.

The socialization is expected to help students understand and prepare to join the MBKM program. Through this MBKM program, students can gain direct experience in the world of work relevant to agribusiness, broaden their horizons about the operations of MBKM companies or agencies, and develop innovation and problem-solving skills. The MBKM program supports the improvement of quality education. It prepares students to become a competent and innovative workforce so that they can get decent jobs and are expected to contribute to economic growth. The cooperation carried out by the EPA Study Program for implementing MBKM also strengthens partnerships to achieve the goal of sustainable agribusiness development.

Author : Aprilia Dwi Hastuti and Mila Amalia Utami
Admin of the Website for the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM

Yogyakarta, January 7, 2025 – The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program (EPA Study Program) met with Perum BULOG Yogyakarta Regional Office at the Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University. The meeting was attended by several lecturers of the EPA Study Program and representatives of the Perum BULOG Yogyakarta Regional Office. The main agenda of this event was to discuss plans for cooperation in implementing the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program to provide opportunities for students to learn and gain direct experience in the world of work and improve skills. This meeting can strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and the business world in improving the quality of human resources. Students are expected to gain an understanding of operations and business at Perum BULOG Yogyakarta Regional Office. With this cooperation, not only does it contribute to the academic development of students, but it can also bring a broader positive impact to society, especially in supporting food security and sustainable agribusiness development.

Author : Aprilia Dwi Hastuti and Mila Amalia Utami
Admin of the Website for the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM

The independent campus program provides freedom for students to study outside campus through various activities, including Certified Independent Study and Internships (MSIB) and MBKM Mandiri. The program aims to provide experience and skills for students so they can organize their careers and be ready to face changes in the world outside campus. The UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program also participates in the independent campus program, one of which is through MBKM Mandiri. This effort was made to support SDG Program Point 4 regarding quality education. The UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program sends its best students to study and improve their skills at various companies for one semester.

One of the students of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, Wahyu Fatahillah, participated in the MBKM Mandiri program through an internship program at PT. Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara. Through the internship program at PT Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara, Wahyu was able to realize his dream since childhood, namely working in one of the skyscrapers in Jakarta and learning about renewable energy. During his internship at PT Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara, Wahyu gained knowledge and skills regarding the use of biomass in Indonesia as well as the implementation of circular economy principles in supporting SDGS points 7 and 12, which focus on clean energy and implementing responsible production through the use of Shell Palm Kernel.

Just like Wahyu Fatahillah, Ariadna Kesuma also took part in an internship in the Central Jakarta metropolitan area. Ariadna carried out an internship at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Ariadna has an interest in economics and economic policy formulation. With the MBKM program at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ariadna can learn directly from economic experts about policy formulation and gain experience that she might not have had on campus.

Fakhry Ahmad, one of the students of the UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, also felt facilitated by the MBKM program. Fakhry did an MBKM internship at the Bank BRI Godean Sub-Branch Office. Fakhry chose the Bank BRI Godean Sub-Branch Office because he wanted to learn about KUR for farmers and to implement the knowledge he gained in lectures in the world of work. During his internship, Fakhry was very enthusiastic; he even admitted that he gained a lot of experience regarding the world of work, gained new knowledge, and made many contacts.

Similar to Fakhry, Endang also believes that the existence of MBKM Magang Mandiri means he has a lot of experience and relationships in the agricultural world, especially in tea and quinine commodities. Endang did an internship at the Gambung Tea and Kina Research Center. During his internship, Endang tried many new things, such as the tea production process, experience with transects to map the village’s potential in agro-tourism activities, mini-research, and tea testing. Endang was very enthusiastic about the tea testing activity because he could taste various tea brews and their characteristics in this activity.

Both Wahyu, Ariadna, Fakhry, and Endang advised all students to prepare themselves for the future, one of which is by taking part in the MBKM program. Students are expected to be able to identify themselves and find out their potential and needs in order to know which MBKM program and which company is suitable and which one they want to go to. In this case, they hope that the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program can continue to develop collaboration with many partners through MBKM Mandiri.

The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program participates in the MBKM program to improve the quality of students’ abilities. It is hoped that the MBKM program will increase students’ experience, especially in the world of work. After running for one semester, it was time to withdraw students. The withdrawal of students marks the completion of the MBKM program. The implementation of the withdrawal of MBKM students from partner companies was colored by various stories.

The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program partners with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs in the MBKM program. Experience working in the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs provides various knowledge and skills for students to work in a ministerial environment in Indonesia.

Yogyakarta Special Region Agriculture and Food Security Service (DPKP DIY). As an institution operating in the agricultural sector, the DIY Department of Agriculture and Food Security certainly provides students with a lot of experience regarding agricultural problems in the field and the solutions that can be offered.

Perum Perhutani is also one of the partners in the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study. Work experience at Perum Perhutani provides various new skills for students in managing plantation crops. Student withdrawals were carried out at two Perum Perhutani offices, namely Perum Perhutani KPH Semarang and Perum Perhutani KPH Surakarta.

The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program also partners with the Coffee and Cocoa Research Center (Puslitkoka) in the MBKM program. Internship activities at Puslitkoka provide students with new knowledge and skills in developing coffee and cocoa commodities.

The partner of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, which is no less prestigious, is PT Natural Nusantara. The company provides knowledge and skills for students to study and work in the agro-complex world.

The withdrawal of MBKM students was also carried out at PT Pagilaran. The internship experience at PT Pagilaran provides knowledge and skills for students in the plantation sector. Students learn about the production process of PT Pagilaran products through to commercialization.

The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program also encourages students’ knowledge and skills in the field of ornamental plants. This effort was carried out in collaboration with Erista Garden. Through the MBKM internship program at CV Erista Garden, students gain knowledge and skills in managing ornamental plant agribusiness.

PT Indigen Karya Unggul is also one of the partners of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program. Students gain knowledge and skills regarding modern agriculture.

Students are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in the banking world through this MBKM activity. The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program partners with Bank BRI and Bank BPD DIY. The MBKM program is expected to increase student experience and introduce students to the world of work.

The withdrawal of students marks the completion of the MBKM program. Thank you to all MBKM partners who have provided opportunities for students to learn and work.

On January 16, 2024, coordination of cooperation between the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program (EPA Prodi) and Bank Rakyat Indonesia Yogyakarta Special Regional Office (BRI Kanwil DIY) took place at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture. The meeting was attended by several lecturers from the EPA Study Program and representatives from the BRI DIY Regional Office. The main agenda for this meeting was to discuss plans for implementing Independent Campus-Based Internships (MBKM) for EPA Study Program students within the BRI DIY Regional Office. The aim of this internship is to provide students with practical experience in the banking sector, with the hope of expanding their knowledge and skills. Apart from that, this meeting was also directed at expanding cooperation between universities and the industrial sector, facing future labor market challenges, especially due to the Industrial Revolution 5.0. With this collaboration, it is hoped that students can achieve positive benefits, such as gaining a practical understanding of work in the financial sector, increasing their career readiness in this field, and expanding the network of connections between students, universities, and the industrial sector. Overall, it is hoped that this collaboration will not only provide academic benefits for students but also support the growth of the financial sector in a sustainable and effective manner.

On January 10, 2024, the UGM Faculty of Agriculture was the venue for a coordination meeting between the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program (Prodi EPA) with PT Perkebunan Nusantara and the Coffee and Cocoa Research Center (Puslitkoka). This event was attended by several lecturers from the EPA Study Program and representatives from PT Perkebunan Nusantara and Puslitkoka. The main objective of this meeting was to discuss the implementation of independent campus-based internship (MBKM) activities for EPA Study Program students at these two institutions. Through this internship, it is hoped that students can expand their knowledge and skills related to plantations in Indonesia. This meeting also aims to expand collaboration between universities and the industrial sector, especially in facing future labor market challenges. In this way, students can experience positive benefits from gaining practical experience in the world of plantations, increasing their readiness for a career in this field, and expanding the network of connections between students, universities, and the industrial sector. It is hoped that this collaboration will not only contribute to students’ academic development but also encourage the growth of the plantation sector in Indonesia more effectively and sustainably.

Yogyakarta, January 9, 2024. The Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program has officially coordinated cooperation with PT Bank Mandiri. This coordination is part of the implementation of MBKM, where the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program hopes to advance the agricultural and agribusiness sectors through collaboration with PT Bank Mandiri. In addition, it is hoped that this partnership will become an inspiring example of collaboration between universities and the industrial sector in facing the increasingly complex challenges of globalization. Through this synergy, it is hoped that it can create a positive impetus for the growth of the agricultural and agribusiness sectors amidst global economic dynamics.