Minister of Bappenas RI Inaugurates IPB University’s Agri Fotovoltaic: Build Indonesia from Campus
Minister of the Ministry of National Development Planning / National Development Planning Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (PPN / Bappenas) RI, Prof Rachmat Pambudy suggested that IPB University could be a pioneer of Indonesia’s development towards food sovereignty.
“I want the glory of Indonesia to be built from the campus,” said Prof Rachmat Pambudy when signing the inscription of Agri Fotovoltaic (APV), at IPB Gunung Gede Campus (28/11).
Furthermore, the Minister of Bappenas outlined the historical facts of Indonesian agriculture which at that time, Bung Karno started by building a campus. Not starting with the construction of irrigation, reservoirs, or fertilizer factories, but on the development of human resources (HR) through higher education. This development relay continued in the Soeharto era, which succeeded in achieving food self-sufficiency.
“President Prabowo’s era wants to restore the era of food sovereignty plus energy and water. Agriculture, energy and water are one unit so Agri Fotovoltaic is an innovative solution that can combine these needs,” he said.
Agri Photovoltaic is a technology that allows solar panels to be installed on farmland. That way, this system can generate electricity while still allowing plants to grow underneath.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University, Prof Suryo Wiyono, said that Agri Fotovoltaic was made in an effort to support the activities of the Smart Agriculture Study Program. In addition, it will also be utilized by other study programs at IPB University.
“Through Agri Fotovoltaic, we can also answer energy needs and reduce the area of land used for agriculture. Many studies related to Agri Fotovoltaic make the quality and quantity of production better,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria said, the existence of Agri Fotovoltaic is expected to increase the competence of graduates of Smart Agriculture Study Program. Thus, graduates are able to master knowledge in utilizing science and technology related to artificial intelligence (AI) which is directed for the benefit of modern agriculture.
“IPB University will also create a number of new study programs that can support modern agricultural practices, such as Bioinformatics which combines biology and IT,” he said. He also mentioned that he would plan to open Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Study Programs to support Agriculture Engineering for modern agriculture. (*/Rz) (IAAS/Hap)
