50th IPB Anniversary: IPB Urges the Government to Put Agriculture in the Mainstream

Incelebrating its 50th anniversary, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) has urged the Government to prioritize and seriously improve agriculture. This insistence delivered by IPB Rector Prof. Dr.HerrySuhardiyanto in the opening remarks at IPB Agrifuture EXPO 2013 as part of the planned Programs for the 50th Anniversary on Campus Baranangsiang, on 05 September 2013.

"IPB fully understands  that the agricultural development  hasn’t been implemented optimally yet. It is characterized by the lowerdomestic agricultural products compared to the  national food demands, "said Prof. Herry. He also expressed the high dependence on importation on agricultural products and unhealthy farming business administration systems which affect on the scarcity and high prices of those commodities in the country.

Further he expressed that lower quality of health services for people and lower prosperity of farmers, fishermen and farmers are two important issues among Indonesia which should be taken care of, as well as the environmental degradation  due to over-exploitation. Moreover,  in 2050, it is predicted that the world population including Indonesian will reach 9 billion. Thus, the food demandsshould also be double than the present needs. "The future problems and challenges will only be overcome with the actual seriousness of the government to give priority to the agricultural sector completely and consistently at all levels," he explained.

Further, Rector added that common vision and cooperation of all sectors such as industries, finances, labors, technologies and politics are really required. According to him, at least there are 5 steps that must be considered to put agriculture in the mainstream, namely:
1.       Prioritizing  theagricultural development, particularly the commodity-based food sources such as corn, soybeans, and rice.
2.       Strengthening the  integrated regional-based industrial development from the upstream to downstream.
3.       Optimizing and exploring  marine resources wisely by utilizing the science and technology, and the application of post harvest technology accurately.
4.       Developing  of bioenergy and integrated renewable energy sources.
5.       Strengthening comprehensive, progressive and consistentagricultural policies  and regulations.

    Putting agriculture in the mainstreammeans all parties will take agriculture as the central issue for sustainable development in Indonesia. Therefore at this Golden Anniversary, IPB theme is "Putting Agriculture in the Mainstream for Sustainable Development" to show IPB concerns for the national development of Indonesia.

For more than 50 years, IPB  has been contributing for the development of the country with the internationally known innovations and  agricultural technologies, but the Indonesian government has not utilized those IPB products maximally.

"Soy crisis, and the food crisis as well wouldn’t have suffered the nation  if IPB Innovations have been fully utilized" he said. According to him, IPB has up-dated its  agriculturalknowledge and has produced internationally standard graduates, it’s really pity that those good quality resources have not been utilized properly.  Since it had been founded 50 years ago and go on in the future, IPB will remain commit in supporting the nation to improve the quality of agriculture. In accordance with the university slogan "Finding and Giving the Best".All the Best for agriculture and for the nation. (Wied)

IPB Agrifuture  EXPO 2013

IPB Agrifuture EXPO 2013 is  the best title for exhibition of technological and innovations achieved by IPB, and those achievements are expected to be applicable and supportive for the  advancement of agriculture in Indonesia. IPB Agrifuture EXPO was held to demonstrate the existence of IPB as an agricultural university in Indonesia that always seeks the best innovations. IPB Agrifuture EXPO is participated by the entire Faculties under IPB, LPPM  andworking partners which have been utilizing various IPB innovations. This event will span for 3 days, on 5 – 7 September 2013. The event was jointly organized between IPB and  BRI Bank.(Wied).