Transforming Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security
A successful agricultural transformation program can ensure the realization of sustainable food security. "It is intended to increase food production so that the availability and affordability of food at the household level is reached and involves the modernization of technology, infrastructure and agricultural institutions and the integration of other national economic sectors, " said Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Boediono when presenting scientific papers ‘Transforming Agriculture for Strengthening National Food Security’, Tuesday (25 / 9) in the campus of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). This speech is one of the series of IPB’s 49th anniversary to-.
The transformation of agriculture is expected to increase productivity, add to food supply, and simultaneously increase the income (purchasing power) of farmers. "However, the transformation of agriculture is a necessary condition, not sufficient condition for food security. Additional special schemes are requited in order to guarantee sustainable food security," said Prof. Boediono.
Such chemes, according to Prof.Boediono include strategic food self-sufficiency, special programs for small farmers, stock policy to reduce the supply disruption, and interventions on the poor. "The transformation of agriculture in Indonesia is potentially able to greatly increase the added value," said Prof.Boediono. A failure in agricultural transformation causes dependence on state subsidies.
Meanwhile IPB Rector, Prof. Dr. Herry Suhardiyanto says IPB realizes that food crisis will always be a threat to every country when food production is far below the national requirement. Food import dependence often results in shortages and higher prices in the domestic market. "IPB views that Indonesia needs to have a robust system of food production. With the fourth largest population in the world, we should have a grand strategy in building resilient food production system, free from dependence on imported food," said Rector
Further, Rector described IPB’s role of 49 years. "IPB has always tried to contribute to the food production system through various breakthroughs such as the implementation concepts of Mass Guidance (BIMAS), mass intensification (INMAS), Special Intensification (INSUS) and others that have led Indonesia to self-sufficient in rice," said Rector. (Mtd)
Even Vice President Tastes Analog Rice
Shortly before presenting is scientific papers in the Open Session of IPB 49th Anniversary at Graduation Building Graha Widya, Dramaga Campus of IPB Bogor, Tuesday (25/9), Vice President Prof Dr Boediono tasted rice cone made from analog rice at the mini expo site of Rectorate Building of Andi Hakim Nasoetion. Although giving no comment, but his face showed satisfaction with the flavors of the artificial rice. Furthermore, previously he held a comb of banana called King of Buluh, the resulted innovation of the Tropical Fruit Research Center (PKBT), Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) IPB. This exotic banana, according to the head of PKBT Dr Sobir to the Vice President, it is suitable for diabetics to consume.
Various beauty products, honey, herbs produced by IPB researchers also made Vice President Boediono stop his steps for a while. As for the finding of soybean variety presented by the researcher Prof. Dr. Munif Ghulamahdi, Vice President wants to have special talk about it, while waiting for the program to be advanced by IPB.
Dr Nurul Khumaida, of the Directorate for Research and Strategic Studies IPB, who guided this mini expo, said that the Vice President is very optimistic about the results of IPB’s research innovation. "Vice President Boediono asked that the results of this research be disseminated, while finding a way to commercialization," said Dr. Nurul repeating what the Vice President said.
On this occasion, the Vice President was accompanied by Minister of Education and Culture RI Prof Dr Mohammad Nuh, Minister of Agriculture Dr Suswono, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, and IPB Rector Prof Dr Herry Suhardiyanto. (Mtd)
