MAKASSAR – Building food self-sufficiency requires increased production, mastery of science, technological innovation, and a young generation able to adapt to change. This perspective was delivered by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, who is also General Chair of the Hasanuddin University Alumni Association (IKA Unhas), Dr. Ir. H. Andi Amran Sulaiman, M.P., to the 10,401 new students of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) at the 2026 Campus Life Orientation for New Students (PKKMB).
Dr. Amran Sulaiman delivered a talk titled “Innovation Toward Food Self-Sufficiency and Sovereignty: The Role of the Young Generation in Building Indonesian Agriculture.” The talk positioned students as part of the human resources needed to drive agricultural transformation through science, technology, and innovation.
According to Amran Sulaiman, agriculture faces a need to keep adapting to technological developments and environmental change. For that reason, the young generation needs the courage to learn new things, develop ideas, and translate knowledge into solutions.
Amran Sulaiman identified a change of mindset as one of the assets for driving agricultural innovation. In Amran’s view, food challenges require young people who dare to look at problems from a new angle and are willing to test ideas until they become solutions.
“The mind is very powerful. The mind shapes feelings. If we change our mindset, you will change the world. To succeed, you need big dreams. But big dreams alone are not enough. You must dare to take steps, work hard, and keep fighting,” Amran urged.
In agriculture, this courage can take shape through developing technology, raising productivity, using resources efficiently, and innovating to strengthen food security. The young generation, according to Amran, needs to be part of that change by making science the basis for producing innovation.
Amran also expressed appreciation for Unhas’s various achievements. Amran said universities hold a strategic position in producing human resources able to contribute to national development. Before the new students, Amran urged them to keep building a culture of achievement and self-confidence. The new students were asked not to limit their potential on the basis of their regional background or social circumstances.
“Believe in yourselves. You must believe that you have the ability. Success knows no background; it is in your hands,” Amran stressed.
Amran noted that the students taking part in PKKMB are those who have passed the selection process to become part of Unhas. That opportunity must be answered with earnestness in pursuing their education. Amran also reminded students to make honesty a principle in their education and professional lives.
Amran’s message is in line with the theme of Unhas PKKMB 2026, “Growing with Innovation, Moving with Synergy, Making an Impact for the Nation.” The theme positions students as part of an academic ecosystem that needs to grow through science, build collaboration, and make contributions.
The university-level PKKMB took place at the JK Arenatorium Sports Hall (GOR), Unhas Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar, on Tuesday (11 August). On this occasion, the new students actively engaged in dialogue and asked a number of questions directly. (*/mir)
Makassar, 11 August 2026
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.