Through Farmer Field School, IPB University Disseminates New Rice Varieties in the South of West Java
IPB University through PT Primakelola (IPB Consulting) organized Farmer Field School in order to disseminate the innovation of new superior varieties (VUB) of IPB rice. Through this program, a number of varieties such as IPB 13S and 15S, as well as their predecessors, IPB 3S and 9G, were tested in Bantarsari Village, Pamarican District, Ciamis, West Java (7/20).
The activity which is part of the “Mandiri Sahabat Desa” program from Bank Mandiri involves rice researcher Dr Ahmad Junaedi from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University.
“IPB University is again present in the village, the southern corners of West Java, as proof of our commitment to contribute to the government’s strategic program to realize the nation’s food sovereignty,” explained Dr Junaedi who is also the Chairman of the IPB University Rice Research Group.
IPB University, he continued, is present in the midst of farmers, according to the slogan “IPB Sahabat Petani”, to share enthusiasm and technology. This program is designed as an effort to improve the quality of farmers’ resources, disseminate new varieties and cultivation technology to increase productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of rice products.
“We continue to develop innovations in rice varieties and technology. In this Field School, the latest varieties of IPB 13S and 15S are also disseminated. Likewise, environmentally friendly technology for integrated crop management with bio-immunization,” he added.
In this Field School program, farmers are also synergized downstream to build a rice ecosystem by involving the manager of the Rice Milling Unit (RMU) PT Mitra Desa Pamarican (MDP) owned by the Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDES) of Pamarican.
Bank Mandiri Vice President, Beny Setiawan, as Regional Business Partner Head of Regional Office VI West Java, conveyed the initial initiation of the Mandiri Sahabat Desa program in Pamarican. The program began with facilitation in the establishment of an RMU managed by PT MDP in 2018. The program continues with mentoring and supervision until now.
“This time, Mandiri is pushing upstream, which is the foundation of grain availability and rice quality, involving farmers. We are collaborating with IPB University to further empower farmers, increase their capacity to master and apply technology in order to increase and maintain productivity, quality and competitiveness of production,” he explained.
In the end, Beny added, the Mandiri Sahabat Desa program is expected to improve farmers’ welfare and strengthen national food security efforts.
The Chairman of Pamarican Sub-District, Agus Taopik, SSi, MT, welcomed the Mandiri Sahabat Desa and Farmer Field School programs implemented in his area. He hopes that this program can be sustainable.
“In the future, commodities can also be expanded, not just rice. We hope that all potential commodities in our area can be developed. Agriculture is expected to become a leading sector and a lever for the regional economy,” hoped Agus.
Meanwhile, Supriyanto, Director of PT MDP, welcomes and is ready to work together as a partner of farmers in increasing the competitiveness and economic value of rice commodities. “PT MDP has the most complete and largest RMU facility in the southern region of West Java,” said Supriyanto optimistically.
The Chairman of BPP Pamarican and the extension workers also expressed their readiness to synergize and contribute to the Farmer Field School program and the Mandiri Sahabat Desa Program. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KQA)
