Telkom University Empowers Local Farmers and Fishermen Through Digital Innovation and Sustainable Programs

ByTani: A Student-Initiated Startup for Farmers’ Empowerment

One of Telkom University’s leading initiatives in agricultural innovation is ByTani, a startup incubated under Bandung Techno Park (BTP). The platform was founded in 2020 by students from the D3 Software Engineering Program as part of a course project that evolved into a functional digital solution for farmers.

ByTani provides a web-based marketplace where farmers can sell their harvest directly to consumers through B2C (Business to Customer) channels or to businesses via B2B (Business to Business) collaborations, particularly in the Horeca sector (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes). This system eliminates the need for middlemen, allowing farmers to gain better profits and market visibility.

According to Rizza Indah Mega Mandasari, S.Kom., M.T., Head of the Software Engineering Program, the founders were inspired by their own farming backgrounds. “ByTani was born from the founders’ personal experience as children of farmers. They wanted to provide a long-term solution to help farmers overcome their challenges,” she said.

The startup gained national recognition after winning 2nd place in GEMASTIK 2020 for the Information Technology Business category. Following the achievement, ByTani entered an incubation program at Bandung Techno Park and received funding from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop) to expand its business operations, technology, and farmer partnerships.

From Local Impact to Sustainable Collaboration

Since its incubation, ByTani has successfully partnered with over 30 local farmers, particularly in rice and grain production, enabling efficient and sustainable product distribution. The platform also organizes knowledge-sharing events and training sessions for local farmers and food producers, helping them adopt smart farming methods and digital marketing strategies.

Beyond ByTani, Telkom University supports several other community-based initiatives, including Sorgumology, which promotes food diversification through sorghum cultivation; BuruanSaé, an urban farming project empowering women; and Aruna, a platform that connects local fishermen to wider markets.

Together, these initiatives highlight Telkom University’s holistic approach to supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) — strengthening local economies while fostering sustainability across multiple sectors.

Conclusion

Through initiatives like ByTani and collaborations with local food innovation projects, Telkom University continues to play an active role in driving sustainable agricultural transformation in Indonesia. The university’s commitment to integrating technology, education, and community empowerment not only uplifts farmers but also contributes to national food resilience and environmental sustainability.

By bridging the gap between traditional agriculture and digital innovation, Telkom University sets an inspiring example of how higher education institutions can create real social impact — one that empowers communities, strengthens sustainability, and supports inclusive economic growth.