[unpad.ac.id, 08/29/2018] The current global climate change is a challenge for the agricultural sector in achieving food security. This sector is expected to contribute to climate change, especially in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This was conveyed by the Head of the Center for Agricultural Land Resources Prof. Dedi Nursyamsi M.Agr. when he was the keynote speaker representing the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Dr. Ir. Andi Amran Sulaiman, MP., In “The Third International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Innovation and Technology” at the Grand Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel, Bandung, Wednesday (29/8).
Prof. Dedi explained, the agricultural sector is one of the causes and victims of climate change. It is said to cause, agriculture is one of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions caused by land clearing, peatland agriculture, livestock activities, and so on.
At the same time, agriculture is also a victim of climate change may increase in pests and diseases, the incidence of floods and droughts, as well as the reduction of land due to inundation and intrusion.
To overcome this, Prof. Dedi revealed that there need to be a synergy between climate change adaptation and mitigation.
“With this synergized action we can still increase productivity and at the same time contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also developed a number of technological innovations as a step towards climate change. According to Prof. Dedi collaboration from various parties is also very necessary in facing various challenges in the agricultural sector.
“We can work together with universities or with various research institutions to bring more innovation with a wider impact,” he hoped.
The international conference was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Research, Community Engagement, Cooperation and Academic Corporations, Dr. Keri Lestari, S.Si., M.Sc., Apt. The event was held on the collaboration of four faculty agro complex at Unpad, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Industrial Technology of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences.
In greetings, Dr. Keri hoped that this conference will generate input for the government in producing policies. Various inspirations presented in this activity were also expected to benefit the global community.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry of Unpad who also acted as Chairperson of the Committee, Prof. Dr. Ir. Husmy Yurmiati, M.S. revealed that the event was held as a means of sharing ideas, research results, and experiences between researchers, academics, practitioners, and professionals from various countries.
In addition, this event was also held to identify challenges and find effective strategies to strengthen agriculture and sustainable food security, as well as to build networks among stakeholders.
This international seminar was attended by 194 participants with speakers from at home and abroad. The speakers were Prof. Abdul Razak Alimon from Universiti Putra Malaysia; Prof. Hiroshi Ezura from the University of Tsukuba, Japan; Prof. Prof. Jiang Mingguo from Guang Xie National University, the People’s Republic of China; and Prof. Yrjo H. Roos, of University College Cork, Ireland.
While from Indonesia, a number of Unpad lecturers presented as speakers, namely Prof. Nurpilihan Bafdal from the Faculty of Agricultural Industrial Technology, Dr. Ronnie S. Natawidjaja from the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Asep Anang from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, and Dr. Zahidah Hasan from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences. *
Reported by Artanti Hendriyana / am | Translated by dfa
