Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM signed a memorandum of agreement with PT HRL International company on Wednesday (15/3).
Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA, DEA, said that the cooperation with the agrobusiness company was important because the spirit to realise food security in animal husbandry needs to be attempted so that production would increase. Effort for productivity increase needs to be made whilst taking into account the development of Indonesian biodiversity asset and quality of healthy food products.
“Indonesia as a tropical country is the second largest biodiversity after Brazil. This needs to be explored further for optimum potential as sources of food and herbs for humans. With the spirit of UGM value, we need to respond to problems related to food, find a good solution and benefits for humankind,” said Ali Agus.
He affirmed animal husbandry area is one of food contributors related to animal protein. It is thus appropriate if healthy food is developed from the development of germ plasms in the country.
President Director of PT HRL International, EV Heru Prasanta Wijaya, said the cooperation with UGM gave hope to also contribute to the state development. One of the forms of cooperation is related to joint commitment on cattle asset conservation which come in the form of Gembrong goat and fat-tailed goat which are critically endangered.
After the MoU signing, a discussion was held on possible areas of cooperation that is more specific and methods to be adopted for cattle conservation.
“It seems that both parties have found areas of cooperation that can benefit mutually. We will continue with further talks to formulate detailed points of cooperation,” said Vice Dean for Community Service and Cooperation of the Faculty, Bambang Suwignyo, PhD.