IPB University Launches Three Excellent Technological Innovations to Strengthen National Food Security
IPB University again showed its commitment in strengthening national food security. In the Launching of Excellent Research Results in the Field of Technology (5/14), IPB University launched three excellent technological innovations resulting from research in agriculture. The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono B Eng, MM, MBA.
The launch introduced three excellent innovations, namely 1) Automatic Weather Station Community (AWS-Community); 2) Four superior rice varieties IPB 12S, 13S, 14S, and 15S; and 3) A smart robot for detecting chili plant diseases based on artificial intelligence (AI).
Vice Rector of IPB University for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof Ernan Rustiadi, in his speech said that these three innovations were designed to support national food security through the application of data-based technology and artificial intelligence.
“This is a commitment of IPB University in answering the challenges of modern agriculture through innovation. We are committed that these innovations not only become academic achievements, but also have a real impact on society and national agricultural development,” he said.
Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria, added, “IPB University has more than 1.000 innovations that will gradually be introduced to the public. Through increasingly routine launches, we hope that the results of this research can be immediately benefited by the community, especially farmers.”
He also emphasized the importance of synergy between research results and real utilization in the field, especially for superior rice varieties that have been developed in 26 provinces.
Meanwhile, in his keynote speech, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, expressed his appreciation to IPB University for its contribution in the development of agricultural technology. He emphasized the Kementan’s readiness to support the adoption of university innovations at the national level.
“The Kementan is ready to purchase superior seeds produced by IPB, including new rice varieties, to meet the needs of 11 million hectares of farmland every year,” he said.
In fact, Sudaryono also announced his personal initiative to purchase and donate 10 units of AWS-Community as well as several chili disease detection robots.
The Vice Minister also emphasized the importance of developing a data-driven and AI-based agricultural system. He encouraged research results to be simplified and packaged so that they can be easily understood and used by farmers.
“Don’t let innovation lose to viral content that is not data-based. We must encourage technology from universities to really reach the hands of farmers,” he said.
This launch emphasizes the role of IPB University as a pioneer of agricultural technology innovation in Indonesia. Collaboration between academics, government, and industry is expected to accelerate the realization of sustainable agriculture and national food security. (IAAS/PRP)
