Towards the “80th Anniversary of Prof Bungaran Saragih”, IPB University Academics Hold FGD: Downstream Needs Upstream
As a series of commemorations of “80 Years of Prof Bungaran Saragih” on April 17, 2025, the Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) IPB University held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD): Downstream Needs Upstream.
Chairman of the Department of Agribusiness FEM IPB University, Dr Burhanuddin, in his speech emphasized that the concept of agribusiness system introduced by Prof Bungaran Saragih has become the basis in the development of national agribusiness from upstream to downstream.
“As a leading academic institution in agriculture and agribusiness, IPB University has a great responsibility in providing research-based solutions to ensure the success of downstream,” he said in the FGD held at the IPB International Convention Center, Bogor.
According to him, downstreaming cannot run alone without strengthening a strong upstream sector. Therefore, synergy between government, academia, industry, and farmers is needed.
Science-based Downstreaming
The five main aspects discussed in the FDG included downstream challenges, opportunities, policy recommendations, reindustrialization strategies, and cross-sector synergy building. This activity also involved various stakeholders from the industrial sector and agricultural associations.
In the discussion session, Prof Yusman Syaukat, an IPB University academic from the Department of Resource and Environmental Economics, emphasized that downstreaming must be oriented towards improving farmers’ welfare.
“IPB University plays an active role in designing research-based policies to ensure that downstreaming provides real benefits for farmers. Strengthening the supply chain and strategic partnerships with industry are needed so that downstreaming not only benefits the downstream sector, but also improves conditions in the upstream sector,” he explained.
Prof Bungaran Saragih, an inspiring figure in this discussion, emphasized that without improvements in the upstream sector, downstreaming will not run optimally.
“IPB University has played a role in encouraging a new paradigm based on sustainability with the 3P principle (Prosperity, People, and Planet). This is a model that must continue to be developed to ensure the sustainability of Indonesian agriculture,” he added.
The academics present also highlighted the importance of adopting biotechnology and digital technology in supporting agricultural productivity. Prof Atien Priyanti, a senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) said that the closed-loop model applied in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs can be a solution for farmers to have more stable market access.
From this discussion, the FGD produced several strategic recommendations oriented towards IPB University’s research and innovation-based policies.
Strengthening policies to support the integration of upstream and downstream sectors.
Increased upstream productivity through innovation, replanting, and agricultural input subsidies.
Strong and consistent leadership in supporting downstream policies.
Synergy between industry and farmers through mutually beneficial partnerships.
Closing the discussion, Prof Bungaran Saragih emphasized that downstream agriculture is not just about exports, but also how to create a competitive domestic market.
“IPB University has and will continue to act as a center of innovation in agribusiness. The success of downstream will depend on strengthening the upstream sector, which has been the main focus of research and community service at IPB University,” he concluded. (IAAS/KDP)
