Doctoral Promotion Ir. Rindiani, M.P.

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, has once again achieved a significant academic milestone through the open doctoral defense of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Science (S3), held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Faculty of Agriculture Hall, University of Jember.

Doctoral candidate Dr. Ir. Rindiani, M.P. successfully defended her dissertation entitled “The Paradox of Food Security and Stunting Prevalence in Agrarian Regions: A Causal Analysis of Households with Stunted Children in Jember Regency.” The study drew considerable attention as it addressed a critical issue — the mismatch between food availability and community nutritional status in regions widely recognized as major food producers.

The open defense was chaired by Prof. Ir. Kacung Hariyono, M.S., Ph.D., as the Head of the Examination Committee. The supervisory team consisted of distinguished academics from across faculties with expertise in food security and community nutrition:

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Tejasari, M.Sc. (Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Jember)

• Prof. Dr. Yuli Witono, S.T.P., M.P. (Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Jember)

• Dr. Luh Putu Suciati, S.P., M.Si. (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember)

The examination board also included both internal and external examiners:

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Annis Catur Adi, M.Si. (Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University)

• Prof. Dr. Ir. Yuli Hariyati, M.S. (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember)

• Dr. Ir. Joni Murti Mulyo Aji, M.Rur.M. (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember)

In her presentation, Dr. Rindiani explained that the stunting phenomenon in agrarian areas such as Jember Regency is not solely caused by limited food availability. Instead, it is a complex issue influenced by household food access, socioeconomic conditions, and the underutilization of nutritious food sources. The causal analysis approach used in her research provides a more comprehensive understanding of the interrelationship between food security dimensions and the nutritional status of young children.

The findings of this study have been published in a reputable international journal through an article titled “Assessing the Influence of Household Food Security Components on the Severity of Nutritional Status among Stunted Children in Jember Regency,” published in the International Food Security and Technology Journal (IFSTJ). This publication serves as tangible evidence of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Science’s contribution to advancing interdisciplinary research in agriculture, nutrition, and social development.

Dr. Rindiani’s achievement reinforces the commitment of the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Science (S3) at the University of Jember to producing graduates capable of integrating multidisciplinary research and generating real-world solutions for national agricultural development challenges.

The entire academic community of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, extends its heartfelt congratulations and highest appreciation to Dr. Rindiani. It is hoped that her research will make a significant contribution to policy formulation on food security and stunting prevention in Indonesia, particularly in agrarian regions that serve as the backbone of the national food system.