[Unpad Media Channel] As a strategic step in developing national alternative food sources, Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) and Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) are constructing the Padjadjaran Center for Sweet Potato Research and Innovation Excellence (PRAISE).
The groundbreaking ceremony was held at Unpad’s Jatinangor Campus on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, led by Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Prof. Rachmat Pambudy, Unpad Rector Prof. Arief S. Kartasasmita, and President Commissioner of PT Triputra Utama Selaras, Ellyus Achiruddin, who is also a Unpad alumnus.
In his remarks, Prof. Rachmat underscored the importance of food diversification, stressing that Indonesia cannot rely solely on a single carbohydrate source. Sweet potatoes, he noted, have great potential as an alternative carbohydrate to strengthen national food security. The idea for the center was first conceived during a sweet potato harvest at Unpad’s Ciparanje Experimental Farm in July 2025.
Also present at the groundbreaking were Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor-Leste; Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Syahnan SE, MM, Senior Expert Staff at the Presidential Staff Office; Prof. Aman Wirakartakusumah, former Rector of IPB and former Indonesian Ambassador to UNESCO; Prof. Agung Karuniawan, Chair of PRAISE; along with officials from Bappenas and Unpad leadership.
“Bappenas is responsible for ensuring food availability and also serves as the national secretariat for the Sustainable Development Goals. Issues such as poverty, environment, food, and water are all connected to what we are building here today,” said Prof. Rachmat.
He further emphasized that PRAISE is the first step toward establishing a National Sweet Potato Center, which could eventually grow into an international research hub. “Today we begin by building a national sweet potato center. If it develops further, it must stay here at Unpad. I have initiated this, and it should continue to become an international hub. It is time we build a new civilization through a food revolution driven by Indonesian experts and genetic resources,” he stated.
Unpad Rector Prof. Arief expressed appreciation for the support from Bappenas, FAO, and strategic partners. He highlighted that all of Unpad’s 18 faculties are ready to collaborate in ensuring PRAISE becomes a world-class sweet potato research hub. “We hope this center will mark the beginning of a series of research innovations that contribute significantly to the nation, not only nationally but also regionally and internationally,” he said.
Ellyus Achiruddin, President Commissioner of PT Triputra Utama Selaras and a 1974 graduate of Unpad’s Faculty of Agriculture, expressed pride in supporting the project. “I am honored to be part of the establishment of Unpad’s sweet potato center. As a donor, I hope the building will be completed soon and serve as a hub for innovative and sustainable sweet potato research and development,” he noted.
The PRAISE complex will cover 800 square meters, consisting of two two-story buildings. The northern building will house a lobby, meeting rooms, a tissue culture laboratory, and dormitory facilities for students and researchers conducting long-term studies. The southern building will accommodate general laboratories and the center’s management offices. The facilities will support research activities, tissue culture development, and the production of healthy, disease-free sweet potato cuttings.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-December 2025. Once operational, PRAISE will serve as a hub for research partnerships, scientific meetings, and sweet potato research at both national and international levels. Unpad, through PRAISE, is expected to be at the forefront of sweet potato research and development—not only as a strategic food resource but also as a key commodity contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in food security, environmental sustainability, and community welfare. (Reporter: Jericho Masyiakh Metiary)*
