IPB Rector: Agriculture Sector Has to Adapt with Modern Technology
The Rector of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Dr. Arif Satria said that to increase the productivity of future agriculture, this sector has to adapt with the modern technology development; the Agriculture 4.0. The advancement in agriculture has to be supported by recent technology such as drones, robots, sensor, artificial intelligence, Big Data analytics, and internet of things (IoT). IPB is ready to help by keep on conducting researches to produce innovations based on mentioned technology.
This was expressed by the Rector while giving his opening speech in National Food Dialogue Forum with the theme "Future Upon the Rice" in IPB International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor (1/12). The forum that was held by the students of Communication study program from Vocational Schools (SV) IPB presented notorious figures in agriculture and economy, such as Dr. Rizal Ramli (economic observer), Drs. Budi Waseso (Indonesian Bureau of Logistics' President Director), Dr. Kasan Muhri (Head of Institute of Research and Development of Trade, Ministry of Trade), Dr. Agung Hendradi (Head of Food Security Institute, Ministry of Agriculture) and Prof. Dwi Andreas Santosa (IPB Professor). This event was moderated by Shinta Syamsul Arif, a presenter from TV One.
In this forum, Dean of SV IPB, Dr. Arief Daryanto said that the biggest challenge of agriculture is when the increasing demand of commodities and agriculture product cannot be met because the production capacity decreases. The decrease of production capacity may happen because the large conversion of arable lands.
"Increase of productivity is a necessity to compensate the large rate of land conversion. In the future, agriculture development should be designed to achieve a RICE (Reliable, Inclusive, Competitive, Environmental-friendly) agriculture," said Dr. Arief Daryanto.
Because of that, the Director of Indonesian Bureau of Logistics (Bulog) emphasized on the importance of commitment and synergy between institutions, especially on field, starting from the Ministry of Agriculture as the regulator responsible in production, Ministry of Trade responsible in the trade, and Bulog as the operator. Every stakeholder has to be synchronized in carrying a mutual responsibility.
Dr. Kasan Muhri explained that the purpose of importing rice is to maintain the supply and to stabilize price. If national production is enough, we won't have to import. The government's decision to import rice was made after serious consideration and the timing should also be right so it won't disrupt the price given to the farmers.
Because of that, Dr. Rizal Ramli gave his advice that the government has to prioritize agriculture development and welfare of farmers. (Ard)
