Commander of Military Territory III of Siliwangi and IPB jointly stage a Young Farmer Festival

IPB and the Commander agree to empower farmers in the region of West Java and Banten. This cooperation agreement was signed by Rector of IPB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Herry Suhardiyanto, MSc and Commander III of Siliwangi, Major-General Moeldoko (14 / 3) at IPB International Convention Center.
 
This cooperation includes training for farmers and Babinsa, and an agricultural exhibition of products, technology and innovation, group dynamics and increased motivation of farmers and Babinsa and fieldtrip and thematic workshops. A series of activities will be arranged into what is called "Pestani” (Festival of Youth Farming), which will be held in April 2011 in Darmaga Campus of IPB, Bogor. IPB lecturers will be invited as instructors in the activities that are planned to be followed by around 600 participants along with some 100 students of IPB.

The military commander, Major General Moeldoko, said that language skill or communication is one important instrument that should be possessed by Babinsa on duties, including the language of the farmers. He said it would be an entry point for TNI (Indonesian National Army). To acquire the instrument, Babinsa is expected to attend the training resulted from this cooperation.

Meanwhile, Rector of IPB said that this cooperation can be a means of making the lecturers and students much closer to the farmers especially in West Java and Banten. In addition, he said that the values of military discipline can be applied among the farmers and the students as well. Rector also emphasizes that this activity is an element of commitment to helping achieve national food security. (mtd)