SAMARINDA (30/11/2025) — Efforts to strengthen the tobacco sector based on technological innovation were once again echoed through a National Seminar & Focus Group Discussion (FGD) themed "Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Utilization of Appropriate Technology in Tobacco Cultivation and Processing" held in Hall B of Building B of the Madura State Polytechnic (POLTERA), Sampang, on Saturday (11/29/2025).
This event was a collaboration between Poltera and KAMURA, and supported by the Impactful Diktisaintek program. It involved various stakeholders from local government, legislative bodies, academics, practitioners, and tobacco farming activists. This forum served as a strategic platform to pool ideas and formulate concrete steps to accelerate the development of Madura tobacco SEZs based on innovation and appropriate technology.
The series of events was officially opened by the Director of the Madura State Polytechnic, Laily Ulfyah, M.T., who marked the beginning of the seminar and discussion. The seminar was also attended by the Regent of Sampang, H. Slamet Junaidi, S.IP., and Member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Eric Hermawan. They each delivered remarks regarding the commitment of the local government and the legislature to promote the advancement of the tobacco sector through the Special Economic Zone (KEK) program and the use of technology.
The Samarinda State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politani Samarinda) actively participated in this activity, presenting its Director, Hamka, S.TP., M.Sc., M.P., as one of the speakers in the FGD session.
On this occasion, the Director presented material on Tobacco Diversification Strategies towards Farmer Independence through the development of non-cigarette derivative products. This presentation highlighted the enormous potential of tobacco commodities, which are not limited to the cigarette industry but can also be developed into alternative products such as pharmaceutical ingredients, health products, botanical pesticides, bioenergy, and herbal products with high economic value.
Director Hamka also outlined the importance of implementing appropriate technology in the tobacco cultivation and post-harvest processes to improve production efficiency, crop quality, and product competitiveness. Furthermore, a collaborative approach between vocational universities, local governments, industry players, and farmer groups is considered key to creating a sustainable tobacco SEZ ecosystem oriented towards improving farmer welfare.
The FGD session featured several competent speakers from various backgrounds, including:
This event was a collaboration between Poltera and KAMURA, and supported by the Impactful Diktisaintek program. It involved various stakeholders from local government, legislative bodies, academics, practitioners, and tobacco farming activists. This forum served as a strategic platform to pool ideas and formulate concrete steps to accelerate the development of Madura tobacco SEZs based on innovation and appropriate technology.
The series of events was officially opened by the Director of the Madura State Polytechnic, Laily Ulfyah, M.T., who marked the beginning of the seminar and discussion. The seminar was also attended by the Regent of Sampang, H. Slamet Junaidi, S.IP., and Member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Eric Hermawan. They each delivered remarks regarding the commitment of the local government and the legislature to promote the advancement of the tobacco sector through the Special Economic Zone (KEK) program and the use of technology.
The Samarinda State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politani Samarinda) actively participated in this activity, presenting its Director, Hamka, S.TP., M.Sc., M.P., as one of the speakers in the FGD session.
On this occasion, the Director presented material on Tobacco Diversification Strategies towards Farmer Independence through the development of non-cigarette derivative products. This presentation highlighted the enormous potential of tobacco commodities, which are not limited to the cigarette industry but can also be developed into alternative products such as pharmaceutical ingredients, health products, botanical pesticides, bioenergy, and herbal products with high economic value.
Director Hamka also outlined the importance of implementing appropriate technology in the tobacco cultivation and post-harvest processes to improve production efficiency, crop quality, and product competitiveness. Furthermore, a collaborative approach between vocational universities, local governments, industry players, and farmer groups is considered key to creating a sustainable tobacco SEZ ecosystem oriented towards improving farmer welfare.
The FGD session featured several competent speakers from various backgrounds, including:
- Hamka, S.TP., M.Sc., M.P. – Director of the Samarinda State Agricultural Polytechnic
- Rudi Kurniawan, A.Md.Gz. – Chairman of the Sampang Regency Regional People's Representative Council
- Abdul Hamied – Member of the Madura Tobacco SEZ Academic Drafting Team (KAMURA)
- Suyono – Head of the Sampang Regency Agriculture Office
- Bayu Prahersa, S.ST., M.T. – Lecturer at the Madura State Polytechnic
- Misbakhul Fatah, S.T., M.T. – Lecturer at the Madura State Polytechnic
- Dr. Moh Wardi – Academic
The discussion was interactive, addressing various strategic issues ranging from strengthening tobacco SEZ governance, innovation in cultivation technology, post-harvest processing, product downstream development, and sustainable farmer empowerment schemes.
Vocational Synergy for Tobacco SEZs
Politani Samarinda's participation in this activity affirms the vocational institution's commitment to playing an active role in the national agricultural sector development agenda. The exchange of ideas and experiences between vocational universities is considered crucial for enriching applied innovation approaches that can be replicated in various regions, including Madura.
Through this national seminar and FGD, it is hoped that strategic recommendations will be formulated that can accelerate the realization of the Madura Tobacco SEZ based on appropriate technology, while simultaneously encouraging the creation of a modern, competitive tobacco farming system that provides tangible economic benefits to the community. (HUMAS)
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