National Symposium of Agroindustry IV Ready to Go

In order to reduce or even stop the import program, Professor of IPB, Prof. Dr. Eriyatno asks the people of Indonesia to collectively launch a ‘peaceful revolution’ ala Ahimsa of Mahatma Gandhi. "Let us increase the love of domestic products," said Prof. Eriyatno in the press conference of the National Symposium of Agro-Industry IV, Sunday (18/9) at Campus Baranangsiang of IPB.

Previously, Symposium Chief Executive, Dr. Aji Hermawan said that this nation can only control the upstream, but not the downstream. As a result, the value-added agro-industries for many products that should be enjoyed by this nation are still dominated by foreign companies or taken over by imported products.

Ironically, according to him, the development of agroindustry is believed to be a strategic choice for the prosperity of an agrarian country like Indonesia.

"Agroindustry should act as an intermediary process of industrialization which is based more on local resources, absorb surplus labor in agriculture, and increase national added value, as well ass reduce poverty and improve the prosperity of this nation. But apparently the development of agro-industry has until now not given satisfactory results," he explained.

For such reasons this symposium was held with the hope to offer strategic contribution and measures to strengthen the national agro-industry, examine current issues in agro-industry, and combine the capacity of academics and practitioners in the field of agro-industries to strengthen the national agro-industry.

The keynote speech was given by Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Meanwhile, the speakers definitely present in the panel discussion are Dr. Imran Farooque of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative to Indonesia, Dr. Herman Atih Surjati from the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, and President Director of PT Kelola Mina Laut Mohammad Nadjikh Sea.

Symposium held on Saturday (24/9) at IPB International Convention Center also held a caucus discussions divided into six caucuses with the speakers, all of whom are alumni of TIN Fateta IPB, detailed as follows:

Caucus 1: "Current Technology Developments in Agro-industry" with the speaker Prof. Ani Suryani (IPB), Prof. Dr. Marimin (IPB), Dr. M. Said Didu (Former Secretary of the Ministry of State-Owned Entreprises), Dr. Agung Primanto Murdananto (Director of RNI).

Caucus 2: "Agro-Industry to Solve Poverty, Unemployment and Food Security" with the speaker Prof. Dr. Anas Miftah Fauzi (IPB), Prof. Syamsul Maarif (IPB), Ir. Nurhidayat, MM (President Director of PTPN XII), Ir. Budiharjo (entrepreneur).

Caucus: 3 "Financing Agro-industry" with the speaker Prof. Eriyatno (IPB), Ir.Ogi Prastomiyono (Director of Bank Mandiri), Ir. Eko Sukapti (Director of Bank Mega Syariah), Ir. Nasirwan, M. Sc (Bank Indonesia).

Caucus 4: "Strategy for Export and Agro-Industry Competitiveness" with the speaker Prof. Dr. Irawadi Djamaran (IPB), Prof. Dr. E. Gumbira Said (IPB), Arif Safari (Chief Director of Sucofindo), Budhi Wibowo (Exporter, Author).

Caucus 5: "Agro-Industry to Support National Energy Security" with the speaker Prof. Khaswar Syamsu (IPB), Prof. Dr. Erliza Hambali (IPB), Dr. Handry Satriago (President, CEO of General Electric Indonesia), Gusrizal (SVP Corp. Investment & Business Development of Pertamina), Ir. Arividya Noviyanto, MBA (VP of Business Development Total EP).

Caucus 6 "Education and Technopreneurship" with the speaker Prof. Djumali Mangunwidjaja (IPB), Prof. Dr. Suprihatin (IPB), Dr. Totok A. Sufiyanto (Paramadina University), Dr. Ir Kiki Yuliati (Sriwijaya University). (Mtd)