The initiative responds to the growing need for skilled young entrepreneurs who can modernize agriculture while promoting environmental sustainability. Rather than focusing solely on classroom instruction, the program integrates hands-on field training, business management, and digital marketing to help students gain practical experience from production to commercialization.
Preparing the Next Generation of Agricultural Entrepreneurs
Indonesia's agricultural sector continues to face challenges such as limited technology adoption, aging farmers, and the need for sustainable production systems. Vocational schools have become increasingly important in addressing these issues by preparing graduates with both technical expertise and entrepreneurial skills.
SMK Trenqaun Unismuh Makassar, operating under Darul Fallaah Islamic Boarding School, combines vocational education with Islamic values. The school already possesses agricultural practice land and qualified teachers, but students still face obstacles including limited access to modern farming technology, business networks, and continuous mentoring. These challenges motivated the development of a structured community service program that provides long-term guidance for students interested in agricultural entrepreneurship.
Practical Learning Instead of Theory Alone
The program adopted a practical mentoring approach centered on three interconnected areas:
- Modern agricultural production
- Business management
- Marketing and branding
Rather than relying on lectures alone, students participated in direct field practice, business planning workshops, and digital marketing training. The program was implemented through collaboration between Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, SMK Trenqaun Unismuh Makassar, and Darul Fallaah Islamic Boarding School.
The production component began with mapping available agricultural land and evaluating local resources. Students then received practical instruction on:
- Hydroponic farming
- Aquaponic systems
- Organic farming methods
- Smart farming technologies using environmental sensors
- Organic liquid fertilizer production
- Natural pesticide preparation
Students worked in groups to manage small farming units while receiving continuous supervision from teachers and the university's community service team.
Building Business Skills Alongside Farming Knowledge
The researchers recognized that technical farming skills alone are insufficient for developing successful agricultural enterprises.
To address this gap, students learned how to prepare simple business plans, estimate production costs, calculate revenues, and evaluate market opportunities. Training also introduced digital administration using Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets for transparent financial record-keeping.
Regular mentoring sessions helped students monitor production, sales, profits, and business performance, enabling them to make informed decisions based on financial data rather than assumptions.
According to the authors, effective business planning provides clear direction for agricultural enterprises, while organized financial administration improves decision-making and increases opportunities to secure partnerships or external investment.
Digital Marketing Expands Market Opportunities
Marketing represented another major focus of the program.
Students learned that producing high-quality agricultural products is only one part of building a successful business. They also need strong branding and effective communication with customers.
The marketing training introduced students to:
- Product branding strategies
- Environmentally friendly packaging design
- Social media promotion
- Instagram marketing
- WhatsApp Business
- Digital marketing techniques for wider customer reach
The program emphasized that strong branding helps agricultural products stand out in competitive markets, while digital marketing enables small businesses to reach broader audiences with relatively low promotional costs.
Key Outcomes of the Community Empowerment Program
The community service project produced several important outcomes:
- Students gained practical experience using modern farming technologies.
- Participants learned to produce and utilize environmentally friendly organic fertilizers.
- Students developed business planning and financial management skills.
- Digital marketing and branding competencies improved.
- Practical mentoring increased students' readiness to become young agricultural entrepreneurs.
- Collaboration between the university, vocational school, and Islamic boarding school strengthened sustainable agricultural education.
Photographs presented in the publication document the availability of agricultural practice land, classroom-based business management training, and interactive branding workshops, illustrating the program's combination of field practice and entrepreneurial education.
Broader Implications for Vocational Education
The program demonstrates that vocational education can play a significant role in supporting Indonesia's agricultural transformation.
By integrating modern agricultural technology with entrepreneurship and digital marketing, vocational schools can produce graduates who are better prepared to establish sustainable agricultural businesses instead of relying solely on traditional employment opportunities.
The initiative also highlights the importance of continuous collaboration among universities, schools, and community partners. Long-term mentoring, rather than one-time training, appears essential for helping young entrepreneurs successfully apply new knowledge in real business settings.
As Sahlan and colleagues from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar explain, sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship depends not only on modern production techniques but also on effective business management, marketing capabilities, and ongoing institutional support. Their findings suggest that practical, integrated vocational education can help prepare a new generation of competitive agricultural entrepreneurs capable of contributing to Indonesia's future food security and rural economic development.
Author Profile
Sahlan, together with Andi Amran Asriadi and Siti Wardah, is affiliated with Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Indonesia. Their work focuses on community empowerment, vocational education, agricultural entrepreneurship, sustainable farming systems, and rural development through practical education and capacity-building programs.
Source
Article Title: Empowering Students at Trenqaun Unismuh Makassar Vocational High School: Building Sustainable Modern Agricultural Enterprises through Hands-On Training
Authors: Sahlan, Andi Amran Asriadi, Siti Wardah
Journal: Journal of Pancasila Community Service (JPP)
Publication Year: 2026
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