KUPANG - Rector, Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc, has urged researchers at Nusa Cendana University (Undana), particularly within the Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta), to anticipate the climate changes currently being faced by several countries worldwide, including Indonesia, especially the East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). The most evident impact is the occurrence of a food crisis.
"I challenge our fellow researchers in the Faculty of Agriculture at Undana to develop agricultural innovations using local resources to address the food crisis. In many respects, we should be producing innovative works that we can promote as Undana's achievements," emphasized Prof. Maxs Sanam when opening the 10th National Seminar of Faperta Undana, with the theme Climate Change and Smart Agriculture at the Sotis Hotel in Kupang, on Thursday, September 12, 2023.
In the context of drip irrigation, for example, the Rector hopes for innovations in drip irrigation systems that incorporate local wisdom, such as using bamboo plants. This is done to ensure that it can reach communities in semi-isolated island regions, like NTT.
The Rector's expectations are not without reason. This is because the Professor of Microbiology and Parasitology has already observed one model smart farming in the East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) owned by Lanud El Tari Kupang. However, the cost is quite high, necessitating agricultural innovation with the utilization of local wisdom.
He mentioned that Undana, which possesses land smart farming with innovation based on local wisdom, enabling people to come and learn at Undana. This is because the university, with its comparative and competitive advantage in arid island land, has several agricultural researchers and experts.
To realize this smart farming of Undana, the Rector is urging the agricultural researchers and experts at Undana to contemplate strategic measures, including the utilization of Undana's lands, such as those in Oenitu, Kupang Regency, and the arid land areas within Undana.
"So far, we haven't generated a model as an innovation, and this is the challenge I present to the Dean, particularly the Faperta faculty members. I hope that the outcomes of this national seminar can be formulated and serve as input for regional and national governments on how to mitigate climate change," he concluded.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Undana, Dr. Ir. Muhammad S. M. Nur, M.Si, stated that through this seminar, they aim to not only disseminate the research findings of Faperta Undana's faculty members but also those of researchers from other universities and institutions across Indonesia.
"It is expected that a wealth of information related to the theme addressed in this seminar will be obtained," he expressed.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lusia S. Marimpan, S.Hut., M.Sc, the chairman of the organizing committee, reported that the seminar was conducted in an effort to explore the comparative advantages and socioeconomic aspects of the NTT community, which utilizes arid island land areas.
"The condition of arid land in some areas of NTT necessitates the local community to adapt and become self-sufficient in meeting their food requirements. The development of food crops within an agricultural smart system smart such as rice, corn, legumes, and tubers is continually enhanced in response to climate constraints," she explained.
For your information, the seminar featured three speakers, including Prof. Enos Tangke Arung, S.Hut., MP., Ph.D, a researcher and also reviewer nationally and internationally recognized from Mulawarman University. He will present a topic titled: "Enhancing Added Value through Research on Agricultural, Livestock, and Forestry Results."
Next, Dr. Ir. Apik Karyana, the Head of the Planning Bureau at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, delivered a presentation with the title: "The Contribution of the Forestry Sector and Other Land Uses in Climate Change Mitigation." Also, Dr. Suprehatin, SP., M.AB from the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), presented her material on "Global Agribusiness Value Chains."
In addition to these three speakers, the committee also invited 25 presenters from various universities in Indonesia. (rfl)
