Economies and Innovations: Agribusiness and Enterprise at IPB

Our seventeenth day in Indonesia was filled with new insights and exciting exchanges as we joined an agribusiness class at IPB University that focused on the economic landscape of Indonesia. This session dove deep into the fundamentals of both macroeconomics and microeconomics, specifically within the context of Indonesian agriculture and business development.


We discussed the macro-level factors such as GDP growth, inflation, trade policies, and employment rates, and how these shape the national economy. On the microeconomic side, we explored how individual businesses, households, and consumers interact in the marketplace—touching on demand, supply, pricing strategies, and production costs.


What made this class especially engaging was the open discussion that followed, where we were encouraged to share about the Philippine economic situation, especially in the agricultural sector. It was eye-opening to compare the economic strengths, challenges, and strategies of both countries. While both face issues like fluctuating commodity prices and the need for better support for smallholder farmers, it was inspiring to see how different policies and innovations are being applied across borders.


The class became a fruitful exchange of ideas, and we learned not only from the lecturers but also from our Indonesian peers. It reminded us that while economies may differ in size or structure, the core goal remains the same: sustainable development that uplifts communities and supports growth.


After the lecture, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit IPB KlikBi, a student entrepreneurship hub within IPB University. KlikBi is a platform where agribusiness students conceptualize, develop, and promote their own products—a hands-on extension of their coursework that brings classroom theories into the real world.



We were introduced to several innovative and impressive products, ranging from organic food and beverages to natural skincare items and sustainable packaging solutions. What stood out to us was the fact that many of these products are supported by actual private business partners, giving students the chance to experience real-world business collaborations while still in university. It was a clear demonstration of how education, innovation, and entrepreneurship can thrive together.


The students were incredibly generous and excited to share their products with us, letting us sample what they had created with such passion and hard work. From taste-testing to learning about product design and marketing strategies, it was a fun, hands-on way to understand the business side of agriculture.


Day 17 left us feeling both inspired and empowered. It reminded us that agriculture is not just about production—it’s also about value-adding, innovation, and entrepreneurship. And when students are supported to turn ideas into action, the possibilities are endless.

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