LPPM IPB Starts Partnership with West Tulang Bawang Regency
Institute of Research and Community Service, IPB University (LPPM IPB) discussed with the Regional Government of West Tulang Bawang (Tubaba) Regency about a partnership in agriculture, Friday (24/5). LPPM IPB, represented by Dr. Prayoga Surya Darma (Head of Community Service) and Danang Aria Nugroho, SE (Community Service Program Manager). The Regent of Tubaba, Umar Ahmad, SP; Vice Regent, Fauzi Hasan, SE, MM; Head of Agriculture and Plantation, Ir. Syamsul Komar and Assistant II of Regent in Economical Development, Syakib Arsalan, SE. The activities done within two days, whereas the first day consisted of discussion about the condition and problems faced in Tubaba’s agriculture and the second day consisted of survey on the condition in agriculture fields in Tubaba Regency.
The Tubaba Regent positively welcomed LPPM IPB in the partnership. The Regent expected that the partnership will bring improvement in Tubaba’s agriculture because the agriculture fields in Tubaba Regency are still widely available to be developed “Tubaba Regency also has marshes, which are quite extreme. When rainy season comes, the areas enveloping the marshes could be flooded which could expand as far as two kilometers for approximately four months. The government of Tubaba Regency hoped with this partnership the agriculture would be able to face aforementioned condition, so the soaked lands could be utilized. Besides that the Vice Regent of Tubaba added that Tubaba’s agriculture is dominated by four main commodities, which are cassava, rubber, rice, and sugarcane. The Regional Government hopes that there will be new commodities in their area.
Responding to the request of the government, Head of Community Service LPPM IPB, Dr. Prayoga Surya Darma said that there are alternatives for commodity solutions which can be potentially developed in Tubaba, such as premium rice, lemon grass, and vetiver. “However, LPPM IPB still has to see how potential the land and human resources are in Tubaba Regency so that the requested commodities can be cultivated and compete well with the current commodities,” said Dr. Prayoga. (Ard)
