Visit of Coordinating Minister for Food to IPB University, Rector: Seed Investment Must Be a National Priority
IPB University received a visit from the Coordinating Minister for Food (Menko Pangan), Zulkifli Hasan. Zulhas, his nickname, and his entourage were received in the Rector’s Meeting Room, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor (28/10).
The Coordinating Minister for Food who was recently inaugurated by President Prabowo also visited the facilities owned by IPB University, including the Smart Greenhouse in Leuwi Kopo and the Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP) in Cikarawang, Dramaga, Bogor.
“As my first working visit, I chose IPB University because it has superior technology and seeds. We only need collaboration to get full support from researchers and experts, so that we can achieve food self-sufficiency,” said the Coordinating Minister for Food when visiting ATP IPB University.
Zulhas revealed that although Indonesia has extensive land, there are a number of obstacles. Among them are low productivity, lack of appropriate technology, and minimal collaboration between agencies.
To achieve the self-sufficiency target in three years, he emphasized, the ministry cannot work alone. Research and studies, especially in the agricultural sector, can be found at IPB University.
“Therefore, we need to collect new technologies to be able to increase productivity optimally,” he said.
“Local food is very important so we try to reduce import figures by increasing productivity, cooperation and empowerment of all parties,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, in responding to obstacles to increasing productivity, Prof Arif Satria, Rector of IPB University emphasized the importance of seed multiplication, so that investment in the national seed sector must be a national priority.
“Whatever superior variety, if there is no effort in the field of seed production, it will not be able to increase production,” he said.
Prof Arif also expressed the importance of mentoring farmers. According to him, no matter how sophisticated the technology and varieties produced, without mentoring farmers in agricultural cultivation efforts, it will have an impact on low production.
“Each variety has its own way in cultivation techniques, so mentoring farmers in the field is a must. Therefore, IPB University is committed to assisting farmers to increase productivity,” said the Rector of IPB University.
“I am optimistic that the self-sufficiency target can be achieved in four to five years, if farmers receive assistance from universities and there is an emphasis on reducing food loss and food waste,” said Prof Arif.
In addition, he added, IPB University will continue to focus on developing innovation. Meanwhile, the downstream stage needs to be carried out together.
“IPB University will continue to support the government’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency by deploying all existing innovations,” he said. (Lp) (IAAS/ASD)
