MPI Study Program of IPB University Graduate School Holds National Seminar Discussing Healthy Food Based on Local Raw Materials

The Study Program of Small and Medium Industrial Development (MPI) of the Graduate School (SPs) of IPB University held a national seminar with the theme Potential and Opportunities of Healthy Food Small and Medium Industries (SMI) Based on Local Raw Materials in Supporting Indonesia Emas 2045. The seminar was conducted in a hybrid manner in Mawar Room, IPB Baranangsiang Campus, Bogor, (8/7).

Prof Agus Buono, Vice Dean of SPs IPB University in the field of Resources, Cooperation, and Development said that this national seminar was very relevant to the current situation. According to him, the contribution of SMEs in Indonesia is very large.

"The contribution of human resources in SMEs during the crisis has proven to be very resilient. With a distinctive touch of technology, local food products will become one of the advantages of SMEs in Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, Prof Musa Hubeis the President of MPI said, the purpose of this seminar is to introduce that in Indonesia there is a lot of potential for local raw materials, especially those that are not yet known by the wider community. Therefore, this seminar was held to explore this to realize Indonesia which has sufficiency or food security in 2045.

"We want to become a developed and industrialized country, and one of the things that support it is food. Of course, based on local potential and opportunities, not based on imported materials," he said.

Prof Musa Hubeis added that the seminar was also to encourage prospective students and other stakeholders to realize the importance of technology. Production technology, processing, branding, and marketing are very important to know. "This is to inspire stakeholders to realize technological transformation in the digital era. This is a must so as not to be left behind by other countries," he explained.

Prof Fransiska R Zakaria as the chief executive of the seminar explained that this activity arose from the inspiration of many SMEs in rural areas that are close to agricultural products. The upstream process can be done by utilizing the local location so that farmers can work with SMEs in the village and do not need to look for materials outside.

"In other words, there is productivity at the rural level by utilizing local products and the results can produce fresh and processed products with simple technology. By mobilizing farmers and SMEs in rural areas, the economy can grow in rural areas," he said.

The national seminar was opened with a briefing speech by Prof Muhammad Rizal M Damanik, Deputy for Training, Research and Development, National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) who is also a professor of IPB University and continued with the presentation of speakers, including Prof Evy Damayanti (IPB University), Prof Fransiska R. Zakaria (IPB University), Prof Musa Hubeis (IPB University), Dr Tjahja Muhandri (IPB University), Dr Sonny Rustiadi (Bandung Institute of Technology), Dr Zahra KN Murad (University of Indonesia) and Vita Andrianty (Bank Syariah Indonesia). (HBL/Rz) (IAAS/TNY)