HA IPB University Held Dialogue of Indonesian Presidential Candidates 2024-2029 and ‘Food & Agriculture Summit III’, Two Candidates Present
The Alumni Association (HA) of IPB University held the Food and Agriculture Summit III and Dialogue of Presidential Candidates (Capres) of the Republic of Indonesia for the period 2024-2029. The event was held at the IPB International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor City (18-19/12).
Chairman of the committee Drh Sukma Kamajaya said Food and Agriculture Summit III was held as a material to provide recommendations, corrections, and input to the government in order to realize agromaritime sovereignty as mandated in the state constitution.
“As we know, agro maritime is proven during the COVID-19 crisis and economic crisis, it has become a cushion for the growth of the economic sector in our country. As IPB University people, we long for leaders who paid special attention on the importance of agriculture in the future,” he said.
Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of HA IPB University, Dr Walneg S Jas explained, that the Food and Agriculture Summit III event which was held for two days had two agendas. First, as a place to socialize the HA IPB University White Book delivered by the compilers of IPB University alumni ideas for agro maritime Indonesia.
“So those on the flyer are all alumni of IPB University across professions and expertise who compiled this book, so there is indeed no one else who is competent to socialize except those who have been willing to compile this White Book,” said Dr Walneg.
The second agenda, he continued, was the Presidential Candidates Dialogue for the 2024-2029 period. In this agenda, the presidential candidates conveyed their vision and mission related to agro-maritime sovereignty.
On the same occasion, HA IPB University handed over the White Book to the presidential candidates with the hope that the ideas of IPB University alumni in the agro maritime sector could be used, at least noticed, and prioritized.
“I want to say that in this situation it is not easy to get the right time to present the presidential candidates. The dynamics and struggles are very tough which make them very busy and occupied,” he said.
Dr Walneg said there were two presidential candidates present at the HA IPB University event, namely Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. He said his party had tried to get presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto to attend. However, until the end of the event, only the two presidential candidates joined the dialogue about agro maritime in front of IPB University alumni.
“This forum is not a campaign and supporting event forum. We want to have a dialog. What we want to fight for together with all presidential candidates is how agro maritime sovereignty becomes our nation’s priority agenda going forward,” he explained.
Meanwhile, IPB University Rector Prof. Arif Satria in his speech said that agromaritime was a sector of life that was able to provide services, food, energy, and biomaterials. Thus, strengthening the agro-maritime sector was important to save future life.
“Hopefully, this seminar will make us stronger and the presidential candidates will respond and have the same platform as us, so that we become a sovereign country in the agro maritime sector, and that is the source of the nation’s prosperity to create a just and prosperous society,” said Prof Arif. (MHT/Rz) (IAAS/SHY)
