Strengthening Artificial Applications, the Team of IPB University Visit Lely Company in Wageningen, the Netherlands
A team from IPB University visited Wageningen, the Netherlands, (7/3). Led by the Vice Rector for Global Connectivity, Collaboration and Alumni Relations, Prof Iskandar P Siregar, the team was also accompanied by Prof Yonny Koesmaryono, Prof Indra Jaya, Prof Ario Damar, Dr Yonvitner, Dr Yeni Hardiyeni, Dr Okti Nadia Putri, Dr Julie Ekasari and Dr Dikky Hermawan.
In this activity, the IPB University Team visited Lely Company, a dairy farming and processing industry in the Netherlands. “Lely industry is a company in the field of cattle farming located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Founded by Cornelis van der Lely 1920-2003 with Arij van der Lely. The Lely family has been developing the livestock business since the beginning and has been using innovations in the field of animal husbandry since 1948. Up to 2022, 1,600 patents have been produced, resulting in Lely Astronaut,” said Prof Iskandar.
He explained that Lely Astronaut is a robot that replaces human milking. With sensor technology and artificial intelligence, the milking process no longer uses human labor.
“This initiative has been successfully enhanced the efficiency of milk production and the farming business. Now Lely’s business is no longer just animal husbandry but has also developed into the robot industry in the field of animal husbandry. Besides Lely Astronaut, there are Lely Vector (automatic feeder) and Lely Juno (grass cutter),” he added.
As a partner of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), he continued, Lely Company is one of the livestock industries that develops guidance to farmers with robotic technology.
“In line with that, IPB University which also participates in strengthening artificial applications in agricultural development (including animal husbandry) makes this moment of cooperation with WUR a strategic step to strengthen the vision and mission of education and development of Indonesian agriculture,” he said.
Prof Iskandar as the head of the collaboration team said that the existence of Lely Company was not just an inspiration for agricultural development for IPB University. But, further than that, Lely Company is an indicator of the progress of agricultural technology in the world.
“Lely Company’s commitment to strengthening research has been established with Wageningen University and Research. This is an example for IPB University,” he said.
Furthermore, Prof Iskandar stated that Lely Farm succeeded in realizing the vision of “A sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming.” With this process, Indonesia’s agricultural development should also advance with many agricultural industries partnering with these universities.
In addition to strengthening the vision of smart agricultural technology, this forum also became a meeting place and collaboration between IPB University and Wageningen in strengthening the education of agricultural students.
From the Wageningen University of Research team, there were Prof Henk van Hoogeven, Dr Mariska and Dr Thomass. Prof Henk van Hoogeveen said that this was a momentum for IPB University to strengthen research and cooperation with WUR in the application of smart systems in Indonesia.
“With smart applications in the fields of animal husbandry, agriculture and fisheries, Indonesia is expected to advance and compete as the world’s largest food producing country. Advancing with technology is a necessity, but strengthening the workforce is also a necessity,” he said. (*/Zul) (IAAS/RUM)
