[Unpad Media Channel] The Faculty of Agribusiness at Unpad collaborates with the Indonesian Breeding Association of West Java Regional Commissariat, abbreviated as Peripi Komda Jabar, to organize an International Seminar and Business Meeting that is held in hybrid at Bale Sawala, Unpad Rectorate Building, Jatinangor, Monday (29/7/2024) until Tuesday (30/7/2024).
The seminar is titled “Development of Technology and Innovation in the Indonesian Sweet Potato Agribusiness: Innovation and Transformation Towards Sustainable and Globally Competitive Sweet Potato Agriculture”.
This international seminar and business meeting is also attended by the Rector of Unpad Prof. Rina Indiastuti, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Padjadjaran Dr. Ir. Meddy Rachmadi, M.S. the Head of Peripi Komda Jabar Prof. Agung Karuniawan, the General Secretary of Peripi Komda Jabar Prof. Awang Maharijaya, also the Head of Committee Dr. Ade Ismail.
This event is attended by 200 participants from various backgrounds, including educational institutions and sweet potato farmers from the Association of Indonesian Sweet Potato Agribusiness Farmers (Asosiasi Agrobisnis Petani Ubi Jalar Indonesia or Asapuji) and Cilembu Sweet Potato Agribusiness Association (Asosiasi Agrobisnis Ubi Cilembu or Asaguci).
In her speech, the Head of Peripi Komda Jabar Prof. Agung Karuniawan said that Peripi Komda Jabar supports scientific research and development in agriculture, particularly in the field of sweet potato cultivation. Through the collaboration with the Asapuji, Peripi Komda Jabar hopes to enhance the quality and productivity of sweet potatoes.
“This collaboration aims to expedite technological innovation, extend productivity, and broaden market opportunities for sweet potatoes,” said Prof. Agung who is also a Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture at Unpad.
Moreover, Prof. Agung also said that the international seminar serves as a platform for experts in sweet potato cultivation to exchange knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas. The seminar participants are expected to take a role in building robust and sustainable partnerships for the advancement of sweet potato agriculture in West Java and across Indonesia.
“We believe that this seminar will foster productive discussion and yield beneficial outcomes for all involved parties,” said Prof. Agung.
Furthermore, the Rector of Unpad Prof. Rina Indiastuti said that the international seminar and business meeting that is held with the international partners is relevant to the vision and mission of Unpad, which is to produce research and innovation with high impact on society.
Through innovative research and development, Unpad commits to enhancing the productivity of sweet potatoes, also introducing environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural technology.
“So, this theme about the sweet potato, I think is very relevant to our vision and mission. Besides, Universitas Pajajaran is committed to addressing the challenge of strengthening national food security and enhancing the welfare of farmers,” explained the Rector.
Recently, Unpad has been actively assisting farmers by providing training and effective technical guidance to improve productivity each year for the advancement of the food industry. Through this international seminar and business meeting, the stakeholders are expected to commit to implementing technology and innovation on sweet potato productivity in the future.
“Let us work together to realize this vision, this purpose of this meeting in building a more prosperous and sustainable nation,” said the Rector.
The International Seminar is filled with presentations from many speakers, namely Prof. Kai Zhang dan Dr. Shahid Ullah Khan (Southwest University, China), Rizky Arif Nugroho (PhD Candidate) dan Prof. Ryo Kohsaka (Tokyo University, Japan), Prof Agung Karuniawan (the Faculty of Agribusiness at Unpad and the Head of Peripi Komda Jawa Barat), Miranda Risang Ayu, Ph.D (the Faculty of Law at Unpad), also Puji Lestari, Ph.D. (the Head of Agriculture and Food Research Organisation at BRIN).
Additionally, the Business Meeting is attended by Sajidin, S.HUT (the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture of Sumedang Regency), Ir. Ningning Hendasah, M.Si. (the Head of the Department of Agriculture of Bandung Regency), Dr. Wahyu Hidayah (the Head of the Department of Agriculture of Kuningan Regency), Dr. Asep Mulyana (the Faculty of Economics and Business at Unpad), Lee Jung Ryull (the Director of PT Indowooyang, Cirebon, West Java), dan Andrew YW Cho (the Director of PT Seed Origin Indonesia, Mojokerto, East Java). (arm/SA)*
