IPB University Cooperates With Chinese Leading Agricultural Research Institution For Smart Agriculture
Rector of IPB University, Dr. Arif Satria with the Head of Sub-Directorate of International Cooperation and Relations, Dr.-Ing. Dase Hunaefi visited several agricultural 4.0 development institutions in China, Monday-Tuesday (29-30/07). The delegation of IPB University was accompanied by Dr. Yayat Sutarya, the Education and Culture Attache (Atdikbud) of the Indonesian Embassy in China. Some of the institutions visited included the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing Forever Technology Co., LTD., and Fujian Academic of Agricultural Sciences (FAAS).
In his visit to CAAS, IPB University Rector was welcomed by Prof. Wu Kongming, CAAS Vice President and his staff. This visit was intended to survey firsthand the 'smart agriculture' developed by CAAS. Dr. Arif said, "China with artificial intelligence has succeeded in developing Agriculture 4.0 and become a leader in the field of Smart Farming."
On this occasion, IPB University Rector visited the installation and model at the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Remote Sensing and saw a demonstration of drones utilization specifically designed for the needs of smart farming with a model of integrated smart farming. He explained that the effort to realize Agricultural 4.0 in Indonesia begins with implementing the smart agriculture pilot at IPB as a pilot proof for Indonesia and the world.
Facing the global food issue, Dr. Arif emphasized the importance of cooperation to actualize smart agriculture. "We agree to implement smart agriculture considering the importance of food security for the world's population in facing challenges in the future," he said.
Furthermore, IPB University Rector also visited Beijing Forever Technology Co., LTD. (BFT) to discuss strengthening cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), especially in the field of big data and artificial intelligence for the realization of smart agriculture 4.0. On this occasion, IPB University Rector was received by Du Mingliang, BFT Public Relations Department Manager. Dr. Arif explained the need for investment in the field of smart agriculture. "Investment in big data equipment and Electrical Air Vehicle (drone) is needed for smart agriculture. Investment on TVET in this field is also required," he said.
For the last visit, IPB University Rector visited 16 institutes that are integrated from cultivation to commercialization at FAAS, to survey firsthand the High-Technology laboratory facilities there. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between IPB University and FAAS. Also attending the activity were Chen Yonggong, Chairman of FAAS, Prof. Weng Kiyong, President of FAAS, and his staff.
On that occasion, Dr. Arif also explained the next strategies. "The follow up of this collaboration is the exchange of lecturers, researchers, and visiting professors between the two parties, including sending IPB lecturers to conduct postdoctoral studies at FAAS, especially for young doctorates to study agricultural science in China," explained Dr. Arif, who is also the Chairman of the Chosen Indonesian Rectors Forum 2020.
IPB University Rector also surveyed the facilities of the Institute of Digital Agriculture CAAS which has precision in agricultural practices such as the proper fertilizing dose, the use of control room and automatic irrigation, the handling of plant diseases using measured pesticide doses, and the controlled monitoring of relative humidity and the room temperature in the greenhouse. "Agriculture in Indonesia requires an acceleration of digital transformation to smart agriculture. We are working on this, and we will make it happen in Indonesia in the near future," he said.
The visit was ended by surveying the automatic chicken coop facility in which the feed and the temperature of the cage are arranged in such a way as to eliminate excessive odor.
