Entrepreneurship in Emerging Asia: Indonesia’s Agritech Startup Ecosystem

This study examines how digital entrepreneurship is reshaping the agriculture and aquaculture technology startup ecosystem in Indonesia. Key objectives include identifying major players and trends in the sector, evaluating ecosystem supports, and pinpointing policy gaps that restrict growth. The findings reveal rapid expansion in the agritech sector, with numerous startups attracting notable investments and enhancing supply chains. However, the sector faces several challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited policy support, and difficulties in scaling innovations for smallholder farmers. Critical issues include a lack of targeted agritech policies, low digital literacy among farmers, and misaligned incentive structures that impede progress. The study also explores how government policies and market dynamics have influenced the startup environment, highlighting both successes and persistent hurdles. Many smallholder farmers continue to struggle with accessing digital tools and training, which limits their ability to leverage new technologies. To address these challenges, the research advocates for enhanced ecosystem support through increased funding, robust public-private partnerships, and targeted rural digital literacy initiatives. It also emphasizes the value of international collaborations to import best practices and innovative models. Overall, the study calls for a collaborative effort among government bodies, industry stakeholders, and the farming community to build a resilient agritech ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and improved food security across Indonesia.