IPB University Students Selected as Putra Padi Jabar 2019

Holidin, students of Agronomy and Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta), IPB University was crowned as West Java Rice Ambassador (Putra Padi Jabar) in Bogor Regency Regional House of Representation (14/7). The selection of Putra-putri Padi Jawa Barat is a search and guidance of West Java youths who care about environmental issues, especially agriculture. The event aims to produce youths who love and strive to preserve the environment, creating a movement to advocate food independence.

Holidin didn’t expect he would receive such honor because that was the first time he participated in such event.

“I was insecure at first, because I’m only a son of a farmer who doesn’t know anything about (pageants). I braced myself for the event because I understand well about agriculture because that has been my world since I was a child, including when I study in university. Alhamdulillah, after the series of events that I participated in, I received the honor of being the main winner of Putra Padi Jawa Barat. I hope with this title, I can be more contributive to the society, especially in agriculture,” he said.

For the selection process, Holidin wrote an essay about going back to local food. He thinks, consuming local food can be a certain pride and supports food diversification. The purpose is to support Indonesia achieving food security by 2045 from village to national scale.

During the selection, Holidin leaned about various things related to agriculture. From food security, which was taught directly by Food Security Agency, lessons from Agroindustry Center, which encourage youths to help support local products to be national or international commodities.

“There were public speaking and beauty classes, a talent show, photoshoot, agriculture product promotions, and interview at the awarding night, which put our knowledge about agriculture to test. The knowledge that I earned from Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, IPB University really helped me. During the selection process, knowledge about agriculture was the focus which is often asked by the judges,” Holidin added.

As a West Java agriculture ambassador, Holidin has the duty to invite youths to agriculture fields, to help maintain West Java’s reputation as a national granary, and to become a communication medium between the government and the people. (Ard)