Two Lecturers of SKPM FEMA IPB University Give Public Lecture at University of Reading, UK

Dr Alfian Helmi and Hana Indriana, SP, MSi, both lecturers from the Department of Communication Science and Community Development (SKPM), Faculty of Human Ecology (FEMA), IPB University gave a guest lecture at the International Development Seminar Series at the University of Reading, UK, (13/3).

In his presentation, Dr Helmi explained the need to revitalize the community-based (customary) marine conservation approach. The revitalization step also needs to combine local knowledge with strong scientific evidence and adequate regulatory support.

"This is because indigenous communities have proven successful in protecting the sea from generation to generation. However, because they are not supported by adequate scientific evidence, these customary (local) conservation practices are often not recognized by the state," he explained.

He added that conservation practices carried out by local communities have several advantages, one of which is the high sense of community ownership of their natural resources.

"Our research in Raja Ampat found that local-based management can encourage the community to keep protecting their natural resources from damage," said the man who also serves as Assistant Director of Strategic Studies at IPB University.
However, he continued, this community-based (customary) marine conservation approach also has limitations, one of which is because it is very local, "so it is often unable to solve the increasingly complex problems of the global crisis", he said.

On the same occasion, Hana Indriana, SP, MSi explained the topic of institutional development of organic agriculture in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. She explained the different typologies of compliance and conformity of three farmer groups in Tasikmalaya.

There are several factors that influence the level of compliance and conformity of organic farmer groups in Tasikmalaya, including motivation, interest and rational choices. "The existence of regulations is one of the important factors that encourage the motivation of organic farmer groups to apply the principles of organic agriculture," he said.

The seminar activity held in the Frank Parkinson Room, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development was then closed with a group photo with the seminar participants present and continued with a discussion of educational and research cooperation between IPB University and the University of Reading. The IPB University team included Prof Titi Candra Sunarti (Vice Dean of the Graduate School), Prof Lina Karlinasari (Secretary of the Doctoral Study Program in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Graduate School), Dr Dase Hunaefi (Assistant Director of Collaboration and International Relations of IPB). (*/Rz) (IAAS/ARD)