Forum of Journalists of the Ministry of Education Participated in the IPB Campus Tour
About 20 journalists who are members of the Forum WartawanKemendiknas RI (Journalists Forum of the Ministry of Natonal Education) visited IPB, on 15 March 2013, at Dramaga Campus, Bogor. The group were officially accepted by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Bonny PW Sukarno, MS., and the Director of Research and Strategic Studies (RKS) IPB, Prof. Dr IskandarZulkarnaenSiregar.
In his remarks, Dr. Bonny, stated that IPB had long established relationship with the media, both locally and nationally. "Hopefully the visit of the journalists, will enable IPB to providefirst-hand information, and in addition, it will provide reciprocal impact for IPB to have inputs for its future programs," expressed Dr.Bonny in his remarks.
IPB Rector, Prof. Dr.IrHerrySuhardiyanto, M.Sc. on this special event briefed the audiences the achievements and innovations made by IPB for the development of the Indonesia. The IPB’s Campus Tour for the Journalists took them to visit various places in the campus, such as displays on innovations at the Rectorate building, IPB Green TV, University Farm, Bread Unit, Botany foyer, and so on. Finally, the group were also given opportunity to enjoy the cuisine at the Cafe Garden of the IPB.(Wied).
Onions Discussion
In the discussion session thesoaring price of garlic and onions was discussed. According to the government, the skyrocketing price of garlic and onions was due to the annual cycle. But the claim was rejected by food crop researchers at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). They observed that since 2009 and the price of those two spices have no cycles or random.
Researcher and Chairman of the Graduate Studies Program on Economics of IPB, Dr.NunungNuryartono stated that the rise of prices of garlic and onions was due to the annual cycle was invalid statement. She explained that the trend of the rising prices of onion and garlic are almost happened simultaneously in a number of wholesale markets on the island of Java. Next questionis, who have enjoyed the high prices of garlic and onions. ‘"Analysis from the field that we implemented, the farmers did not benefit from the increase in prices of garlic and onions," she said.
Dr.Nuryartono explained that the selling price of onion and garlic at the farmers are remain stabile. In some onions and garlic belts, the prices of those two commodities is around Rp 5,000 per kg. According to the importers, the price of garlic on the averageis less than US$ 1.00 per kg. "The fact that prices in the domestic market (retail price) has jumped higher," she said. With these facts, the ban of imported garlic is useless as the market price is still high.(Wied).
