The startup nurtured by the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Innovative Academy, Zona Farm, has demonstrated its growing impact by securing First Place at the PLN ICE Startup Competition 2025, held on November 22 to 23, 2025, at ITS Surabaya, earning a prize of IDR 200 million.
This achievement is closely tied to the efforts of Founder and CEO Muhammad Hasani, together with Zona Farm’s young team: Ihza Surya Pratama (Co-Founder & CTO), Armedina Radine (CFO), Intan Rahma Dinni (CMO), Afifah Diaz Restu Mawarni (COO), and Nadia Cecilia Ginting (CCC).
Zona Farm also received guidance from advisors and mentors, including Galuh Adi Insani, whose expertise lies in Animal Genetics and Production, and Denny Wijayanto, Head of Program at the Innovative Academy.
The startup, founded by alumni and students of the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), develops a digital agriculture ecosystem powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help poultry farmers adapt to climate change, enhance productivity, and reduce electricity consumption.
The team also applies a circular agriculture approach by processing chicken waste into organic fertilizer and maggot feed.
“We are grateful that our work can bring added value to farmers while reducing environmental impacts,” Intan Rahma Dinni said on Tuesday (Dec. 2).
According to Dinni, this victory reflects Zona Farm’s commitment not only to technological innovation but also to sustainability and community empowerment.
Through data-driven and intelligent technological approaches, the team seeks to ensure that small- and medium-scale farmers can directly benefit from digital transformation.
Dinni shared her experience at PLN ICE (Innovation & Competition in Electricity), an annual competition organized by PT PLN (Persero) to provide a platform for students, academics, and young innovators to present solutions in electricity, energy, and future technologies.
“Zona Farm was able to stand out because it was considered capable of contributing real impacts to energy efficiency while delivering broader social benefits,” she added.
Gratitude continues to motivate the team, as this accomplishment adds to their growing list of achievements and demonstrates that Indonesian youth have the capacity to build startups that are not only competitive but impactful.
Dinni also hopes that the team’s process and outcomes will cultivate a strong orientation toward sustainability and long-term value creation. She emphasized that with a clear vision and continuous innovation, Zona Farm is ready to advance further as one of the key players in transforming the national agricultural sector.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: Zona Farm Team