Dean of the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Jamhari, opened the Lustrum XV of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tuesday (16/3). The opening of this activity was carried out symbolically by striking a gong, marking the opening of a series of activities for the 75th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture. A ceremony was also held at the same time as the completion of the Agrotropical Learning Center (AGLC) building as an innovation center laboratory for agriculture. “AGLC will serve as a research laboratory and agricultural innovation center,” said Jamhari.
According to Jamhari, sophisticated equipment equivalent to agricultural laboratories in developed countries will facilitate the AGLC building. “The tools provided equals (labs in) developed countries. This building supports the acceleration of innovation to realize the role of the faculty of agriculture for the welfare of society,” he said.
On that occasion, Jamhari talked about the agricultural sector in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic as a sector with positive growth compared to others with negative growth, which shows that the agricultural sector is resilient to crises. Despite being recognized as a savior of the national economy, agriculture in Indonesia lacks support from the government. He also criticized the government’s plan to import rice soon. “The plan to import one million tons of rice is counterproductive with the role of the agricultural sector as we wish,” he said.
UGM Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Assets, Prof. Bambang Agus Kironoto, said that the AGLC building, supported by modern equipment, can encourage researchers and agricultural experts to produce better innovations. “Hopefully, this building can be used optimally,” he explained.
Chairman of the Lustrum XV Committee for the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Sri Nuryani Hidayah Utami, said that the committee held various activities on this anniversary. These include national seminars and webinars on coffee, cocoa, and sugar, dissemination of education and technology, and various community service activities. “We hope that the academic community, students, and alumni will participate in enlivening Lustrum activities at the Faculty of Agriculture,” she concluded.
