Rector of IPB University Encourages Rice Researchers to Continue to Innovate, Hoping to Add New Varieties
Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria encouraged rice researchers from various disciplines to continue to innovate to support national food security. Prof Arif also supports the plan to establish a Rice Innovation Center initiated by the International Research Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (LRI PGK) IPB University.
“The Rice Innovation Center was established to improve research in the field of food, especially rice. This Rice Innovation Center will also be an extension center,” said Prof Arif at the Rice Researchers Field Meeting at Kp Sawah Baru Babakan, Dramaga, Bogor, (5/5).
He added, “Later there will be facilities such as seed drying machines and various laboratories. Inshallah, this will be a very good place to support national food security.”
In the event, Prof Arif expressed his pride in the innovations of rice varieties produced by IPB University researchers. The latest varieties released by IPB University are rice varieties 12S, 13S, 14S, and 15S.
“Hopefully, the next varieties will emerge. If necessary, conduct more research on rice quality, hold workshops to absorb the aspirations of consumers, entrepreneurs, and farmers. Don’t let us continue to innovate but it is not good to eat,” said Prof Arif.
Chairman of the IPB University Rice Research Group, Dr. Ahmad Junaedi explained that the Rice Researchers Field Meeting is an activity that synergizes IPB University researchers with relevant stakeholders, in this case the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, to get feedback from the results of IPB University research, especially rice.
“Because we expect the results of this rice research to contribute to national efforts for food security, and this is an important issue so that we researchers can readily respond to what are the needs, what are the problems to be answered, and what are the current and future challenges,” said Dr Ahmad.
“After this event, we hope that IPB University researchers will be more solid in synergizing and showing research productivity and fresh innovations that can be shown to the community,” he added.
Related to the LRI PGK initiative, IPB University’s Rice Research Group strongly welcomes the establishment of the Rice Innovation Center. Dr Ahmad emphasized the commitment of the researchers to become an important component to succeed the establishment of the Rice Innovation Center at IPB University.
“Of course we hope this will be IPB University’s contribution to national food security and in general, because food issues are global issues, zero hunger in SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). From here IPB University can maintain or show its reputation, its contribution to food fulfillment,” he said.
Dr Ahmad said that his team will continue to strive to produce new varieties. So far, IPB University’s recently released rice varieties such as 12S, 13S, 14S, and 15S have received positive responses from farmers. But indeed, these new varieties need a long time to be widely accepted among farmers. (MHT) (IAAS/LAN)
