Directorate of Agricultural Policy and Strategic Studies (KSKP) Organized the Business Meeting on the Utilization of Idle/Sleeping Land
Direktorat Kajian Strategis dan Kebijakan Pertanian (KSKP – Directorate of Agricultural Policy and Strategic Studies) of Bogor Agricultural University conducted special event to launch “the Utilization of the Sleeping/Idle Land” in the Taman Sari village, Taman Sari subdistrict, Bogor Regency, on 24 October 2014. This event was symbolically opened by the Head of Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Daerah (Bappeda – Regional Planning and Development Agency) Bogor District, Hj. Sofiah Syarifah.
One of the item of the Program for this event was the question and answer session between the communities and stakeholders who participated in the event, and was moderated by Drs. H. Nana Suryana, MM. Then the participants were invited to witness the cultivation of elephant grass or Pennisetum purpureum and tour to the idle lands in the Taman Sari village.
Kasubdit (Head of Sub Directorate) of KSKP, Mr. Handian Purwawangsa, S.Hut, M.Si stated that IPB through Directorate of KSKP has made an inventory on lands that suitable for agricultural cultivation. Based on the analysis of satellite imagery there are about 9,000 acres of lands in Bogor District which are less productive but they have great potential for agricultural development.
"We tried to make models on the utilization of non-productive lands into the productive one. To utilize land resources optimally for more productive agriculture, we must face some crucial problems, they should be adjusted into their suitability, situation, the soil status, and their potential market. Until now KSKP IPB has four sites of model, and one which is located in Taman Sari village. In this area model, IPB practices intercropping system, namely the cultivation of agricultural crops, vegetables and grasses. "Based on the models developed by the KSKP IPB, I hope the business scales can be improved and can be very beneficial to the community", said Handian.
Hj. Sofiah Syarifah stated, "On behalf of the government and society Bogor Regency I would like to express my sincere thanks for IPB which always continuously contributes ideas and strategic studies for regional development which is beneficial for the implementation of regional development in Bogor. By applying those Therefore, Implementation of this policy will be continuous and consistent to allow attitudes to change. "
Rector, Prof. Dr Ir. Herry Suhardiyanto, M.Sc stated that idle land or ‘Sleeping land’ is temporarily uncultivated or neglected land that does not match its previously allocated land use planning classification such as for agriculture, housing, industry and public services." IPB has always been at the forefront in the development of new technologies in agriculture, produces innovations and improved varieties crop plants suitable for the location in Bogor. IPB is ready to oversee this program by sending its faculty members and students to be able to ensure that unused land can be utilized for the welfare of communities of the Bogor Regency, "said Prof. Herry.
"I expressed my appreciation for the implementation of this activity. I hope that the utilization of idle lands will provide multiple benefits such as to increase the productivity of those lands which will provide prevention for communities from natural disasters. In addition, the utilization of those idle lands will generate working opportunities to improve the welfare of the communities of Bogor Regency," said Vice Chairman of Dewan perwakilan Daerah (DRPD – Regional of House of Representative) of Bogor Regency, H. Iwan Setiawan, SE.
"I welcome this event as one of the solutions to increase the productivity of idle lands to be used as natural resources a potential. Hopefully, with the launching of “Utilization of Idle Land of Sleeping Land” we will be able to improve performance of the communities, prevent us from natural disasters, and improve the welfares of the communities, and maintain our food sovereignty which we are fighting together in order to support the vision of Bogor district became the most advanced Regency in Indonesia, "added Hj. Sofiah Syarifah. (Wied).
