BEM of Faperta IPB Stages a Soybean Talkshow
Student Executive Board (BEM), Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) held a talk show "Can Indonesia Reach self-sufficiency in Soybean?" on Saturday, (13/10), at Graha Widya Wisuda, Dramaga Campusof IPB, Bogor. The talk show, moderated by Ika Indra, a lecturer in the Department of Agribusiness IPB, presented as the keynote speakers, the former Governor of Gorontalo, who is now serving as Chairman of the Indonesian Agribusiness and Agro-industry Society (MAI), Fadel Muhammad, and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives for Commission IV, Ir. H. Herman Khaerun.
This talk show was attended by IPB students from various majors, civil servants of agriculture, as well as the secondary school students in Indonesia. A series of agricultural issues were critically raised by the speakers. To one question, the answers appeared to be in little contrast between the two presenters regarding whether or not it is good to import soybeans from the outside. Fadel suggests that at least the price is raised for the welfare of soybean farmers, but according to Herman, if the price is raised then of course the consumer will feel disadvantaged. However, the moderator was able to bridge the differences by saying that what is need to be improved concerning the self-sufficiency is the issues in the management of foreign products markets, food planning/management, as well as the goodwill of the government and farmers.
The talk show in the next session presented the keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Munif Ghulammahdi, the inventor of soybean cultivation techniques, together with the speaker from PT. Monsanto. Prof.Munif talked about the long history of discovery, in which his studies took a longer period of time in various regions with the students of both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Along with this event, an expo was also held of various agriculture businesses and the demonstrations by schools taking part in the scientific work competition. The event is expected to help resolve the problems of soybean in Indonesia. (Mtd)
