Restoring the Glory of Coconut in Indonesia and the World, IPB University Signs MoU with RoeKI
IPB University and Roemah Kelapa Indonesia (RoeKI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The board of RoeKI was received by Prof Ernan Rustiadi, Vice Rector of IPB University for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development.
On this occasion, IPB University and RoeKI committed to establishing cooperation related to the tridarma of higher education including education, research, and community service. The MoU signing ceremony was held in the Academic Senate Conference Room, IPB Dramaga Campus (30/1).
Galih Batara Muda, Chairman of RoeKI appreciated and was honored to be able to establish cooperation with IPB University. This collaboration is expected to encourage the effectiveness of coconut production to go global.
According to him, in the current era, collaboration between parties is very important. Collaboration between farmers, industry, business people, academics, and the government is a big step towards realizing the glory of Indonesian coconut.
“Currently, Indonesia is no longer the country with the largest coconut land area in the world, nor is it the number one coconut producing country in the world. Land degradation and land conversion are increasingly widespread, while farmer regeneration is almost non-existent. This is a big challenge for all of us in the context of food sovereignty,” he explained.
He added that this collaboration is not just a formality, but a concrete step to revive the glory of Indonesian coconut. The collaboration with IPB University is expected to be the main driver of progress in the coconut sector, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance collaboration in various sectors.
The target of this collaboration, RoeKI and IPB University will build an integrated coconut industry that is integrated from upstream to downstream in order to create energy independence and waste independence.
“We will build a Coconut Farmers Kulakan Center as a forum to bring together farmers and industry, build a Coco Academy that will standardize prices, standardize industrial processes, and make a training center for coconut in Indonesia,”
He continued, “We will establish Coco Innovation Valley and build an integrated laboratory in Jonggol. With the support of IPB University as an educational institution, we believe it will have a broad and sustainable impact, especially in improving the farmers’ economy, socio-culture, and concern for the environment.”
Prof Ernan Rustiadi strongly welcomed this collaboration to improve the glory of coconut in Indonesia.
“Coconut has enormous potential and now is the time to revive the glory of coconut in Indonesia and downstream coconut production by consolidating related to coconut,” he said.
He added that agriculture is one of IPB University’s capitals to collaborate and go global. “For that, we will downstream production in the coconut sector and universities can contribute to the development of innovation and create technologies by collaborating with world research institutions, as well as with the spirit of self-developed technology,” he said. (AS) (IAAS/RUM)
