HA IPB Synergize with Kementan RI and BEM IPB, Ready to Realize Indonesia as World’s Food Barn

Bogor Agricultural University Alumni Association (HA IPB) determines to realize the vision of Indonesia becomes a World’s Food Barn. This time HA IPB synergizes with Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan RI) and Student Executive Board (BEM) IPB as an effort to realize that vision. This synergy is embodied by the organizing of Training of Mapping in frame of Indonesia Agricultural Students Consolidation which will be held on upcoming December 3-5, 2018.

Chairman of HA IPB, Ir. Fathan Kamil said Training of Mapping activity aims to equip students in improving knowledge and enhancing skill so they can perform mapping and profiling on the implementation of agricultural programs. The intended programs are priority programs released by Ministry of Agriculture RI. Not only that, by organizing this TOM activity, students can identify agricultural potencies in the mapped area and also can directly dig farmers’ expectation in term of agricultural development and improvement in their area.

“TOM activity was conducted in three days, started from November 21st until November 23rd, 2018. Students are equipped with methods that will be used in mapping and profiling so when they dive into the field they can perform it objectively, factually and scientifically,” said Fathan.

On other side, there are 35 agricultural student representations who are invited in TOM also be invited to field practice for the sake of practicing the knowledge given in class. The field practice was performed in Lisung Kiwari farmers group, Bogor. With this field practice, students were able to implement the knowledge that just had been obtained in their local areas. After TOM activity is ended, students will be given a task to perform mapping and profiling in their region. At least there are seven clusters or regions that will be targeted area, those are Jabodetabek and West Java, Central Java, East Java, Southern Sumatra, Northern Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.

Mapping and profiling implementation will be conducted in two weeks starting from TOM training is over. The result of this mapping and profiling will be delivered in Indonesia Agricultural Students National Consolidation which will be held in upcoming December.

About TOM, Head for Institutional and Staffing of Agricultural Education Center Ministry of Agriculture RI, in this case was represented by Inneke Kusumawati, stated that TOM activity is a strategic activity in frame of evaluating the implementation of Ministry of Agriculture’s programs given to farmers. According to her, the youths’ energy must be put to good use because the youth has unlimited energy that can be used perfectly. On the other side, the presence of college students in local areas is more acceptable by community so it can be a distinctive stimulant.

“We really need the role of college students especially for rural areas and border areas whose community will be very accepting to the presence of these students. Students are agents of change, so it is time to contribute to community,” conveyed Inneke.

She also added, by sending off students to local areas, it is expected there will be different responses, both from students themselves and the local community. She also hopes, by performing this mapping and profiling students can seize the opportunities lay in the community so students can take those opportunities.

“Do not let them be wasted, a moment like this is very important to gain experiences and skills. Especially relate with agricultural development in millennial era,” Inneke concluded. (qa)