������Ƶ

The competition, which was held from June 30, 2025 (registration) to September 7, 2025 (awarding), was a special competition for KIP-K students to compete in expressing various innovative ideas relevant to the issue of national food security. Nudi Nurjidan, as the chair of the Soynice Team, expressed his pride in this achievement. “This is the first competition I have participated in. I was very enthusiastic about participating in this competition because the theme is very relevant to my field of study. Of course, as a KIP-K scholarship recipient, I can prove that anyone can make a real contribution to food security,” said Nudi.

The Soynice Team submitted a scientific paper titled “Reducing Soybean Import Dependency Through Sustainable Agricultural Innovation and Optimizing the Productivity of Local Soybean Varieties.”. According to Nursanah, as a team member, the focus on local soybeans was chosen because Indonesian soybean varieties have the potential to compete with imported soybeans. ”Tofu and tempeh are everyday foods for the community. Instead of relying on imports, why not develop local soybean varieties towards self-sufficiency?" she said.

The Soynice Team explained that although the current soybean supply is relatively secure, the global food crisis and extreme weather in importing countries could affect soybean availability in Indonesia and trigger price increases. Nudi added, “Tofu and tempeh are inexpensive sources of protein. Food self-sufficiency through local soybeans is very important to maintain price stability and availability.”

The strength of their paper lies in its focus on the idea of utilizing superior soybean varieties such as Grobogan, Anjasmoro, and Agromulyo, which are integrated through the Integrated Farming System (IFS) concept and intercropping techniques with high-value commodities such as corn. This approach is considered applicable, relevant, and has the potential to increase productivity.

In addition, the paper raises a national-scale review by utilizing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and discussing the development of the soybean self-sufficiency program since 2000. The drafting process faced obstacles, especially when Nudi participated in a KKN in an area with limited signal. “Fortunately, the progress had reached 80% so that other team members could continue,” he said.

For Nudi and his team, this competition provided valuable experience. “This competition is unique because the participants come from the same background, namely KIP-K students. This is clear evidence of the role of students in providing solutions through scientific papers,” he said.

After winning this competition, the Soynice Team plans to deepen their research and encourage the application of their ideas at the farmer level. “Studies on the potential of local varieties can be applied on a small to large scale. With the right knowledge, we can help achieve soybean self-sufficiency,” added Nudi.

This achievement demonstrates the ability of KIP-K ITB students to generate innovative ideas to address Indonesia's food challenges. Through the development of local soybeans and the application of sustainable agriculture, they prove that tangible contributions can emerge from the passion and creativity of the younger generation.

Reporter: Kiki Luluil Masalikillah (Environmental Infrastructure Engineering Student, 2023)