Unpad Collaborates with Peripi West Java to Boost Sweet Potato Productivity as Food
Jatinangor, West Java — Sustainable food resilience is one of the critical areas of focus for the government. In this case, the government partners with educational institutions in accomplishing this objective.
Executed by the Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Padjadjaran, collaboration has been established with the Perhimpunan Pemuliaan Tanaman Indonesia Indonesian (Peripi)—Plant Breeding Association in English—West Java, in realizing food resilience in line with technological developments. The collaboration successfully resulted in an international seminar and business meeting held in hybrid at Bale Sawala, Unpad Rectorate Building, Jatinangor, on Monday (7/29/2024) and Tuesday (7/30).
The seminar, attended by 200 participants, lifted the theme, “Development of Technology and Innovation in the Indonesian Sweet Potato Agribusiness: Innovation and Transformation Towards Sustainable and Globally Competitive Sweet Potato Agriculture”. In sync with the theme, the seminar participants consisted of sweet potato farmers from Asosiasi Agrobisnis Petani Ubi Jalar Indonesia (Asapuji)—Indonesian Sweet Potato Farmers Agribusiness Association in English—and Asosiasi Agrobisnis Ubi Cilembu (Asaguci)—Sweet Potato Cilembu Agribusiness Association in English—as well as representatives of educational institutions.
Moreover, the seminar and business meeting were also attended by officials of Universitas Padjadjaran, including the Chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran, Prof. Rina Indiastuti, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture of Universitas Padjadjaran Dr. Ir. Meddy Rachmadi, Chair of Peripi Komda West Java Prof. Agung Karuniawan, Secretary General of Peripi Komda West Java Prof. Awang Maharijaya, and Chair of the Committee as well as Lecturer of Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Padjadjaran Dr. Ade Ismail.
Chairman of Peripi Komda Jabar and Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Agung Karuniawan declared Peripi Komda Jabar’s support for scientific research and development activities in the agricultural sector, especially in sweet potato cultivation. The aforementioned support is shown through a collaboration with the Asosiasi Agrobisnis Petani Ubi Jalar Indonesia (Asapuji) – Indonesian Sweet Potato Farmers Agribusiness Association. At the same time, this activity is also supported by various faculties at Unpad, one of which is the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
“This partnership is aimed at accelerating technological innovation, increasing productivity, and expanding market opportunities for sweet potatoes,” he said in his opening remarks.
Agung also added that the international seminar aims to serve as a forum for sweet potato cultivation experts to exchange ideas, knowledge, and share their experiences. Furthermore, he also hoped that the seminar participants could contribute to the sustainability of sweet potato farming in West Java and Indonesia.
“We believe that this seminar will encourage productive discussions and result in beneficial outcomes for all parties involved,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran, Prof. Rina Indiastuti, said that the international seminar and business meeting were a manifestation of Unpad’s vision and mission, which is to develop research and innovations that have an impact on society. Unpad is also committed to increasing sweet potato productivity which is also in line with efforts to introduce environmentally friendly and sustainable technological developments.
“I think the specific focus we are putting on sweet potato is very relevant to our vision and mission. Universitas Padjadjaran is committed to overcoming challenges in strengthening national food resilience and improving the farmers’ welfare,” said Rina.
As for now, Unpad has conducted various activities to assist farmers in increasing annual agricultural productivity, one of them being providing effective training and technical assistance for the advancement of the food industry. The international seminar and business meeting held is expected to be a forum for stakeholders to commit to ensuring sweet potato productivity in the future through technology and innovation.
“Let us work together to realize the vision and goals of this meeting in building a more prosperous and sustainable nation,” said the Chancellor of Unpad.
The international seminar also presented speakers who are experts in related fields, such as Prof. Kai Zhang and Dr. Shahid Ullah Khan (Southwest University, China), Rizky Arif Nugroho (Ph.D Candidate) and Prof. Ryo Kohsaka (Tokyo University, Japan), Prof. Agung Karuniawan (Chairman of Peripi Komda Jabar and Professor of Faculty of Agriculture Unpad), Miranda Risang Ayu, Ph.D. (Faculty of Law Unpad), and Puji Lestari, Ph.D. (Head of Organization of Agriculture and Food Research or ORPP BRIN).
In addition, the business meeting also presented the Kadistan and Horticulture of Sumedang Regency Sajidin, S.HUT, Kadistan of Bandung Regency Ir. Ningning Hendasah, Kadistan of Kuningan Regency Dr. Wahyu Hidayah, Lecturer of the Faculty of Economics and Business Unpad Dr. Asep Mulyana, Director of PT Indowooyang, Cirebon Lee Jung Ryull, and Director of PT Seed Origin Indonesia, Mojokerto Andrew YW Cho.
Through this collaboration, it is expected Indonesia will be able to further strengthen national food resilience and also increase the quality of Indonesian food in countries overseas.
Writer: Maria Imanuella Dewi Sekartaji
Translator: Dhia Anaulva Putri
