Universitas Gadjah Mada signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Dairi Regency, North Sumatra province, for agricultural research cooperation in the field of integrated farming in order to increase horticulture productionand improve the farmer’s income. The MoU for the development of human resources was signed by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D, and Regent of Dairi Regency, KRA. Johnny Sitohang Adinegoro at Multimedia Roomon Monday (12/7).
"We hope that UGM could help maximize agricultural production. We want to make farmers more prosperous by producing saleable agricultural products in marketplace," said KRA Johnny Sitohang Adinegoro after the signing of cooperation in Yogyakarta.
Through the existing partnership, Dairi Regency Government hopes to get much benefit from the research results that through this cooperation, UGM can help map the problems and development of the region’s potential. Therefore, the Government wants special recruitment scheme for high school and vocational school students who are potential to continue their S1/Diploma studies at UGM.
"The recommendation includes saleable commodity in the marketin order not to make farmers fail in planting crops. We want also to send a lot of technical personnel to learn at UGM," he said.
This cooperation is expected to support the vision and mission for development of the Regency to realize advanced and prosperous society through the development of competitive agribusiness.
That expectation is certainly not too grandiose bearing in mind that 94% of the population in the Regency is farmers. "To help realize the vision, Dairi regency government set three main pillars of agricultural development, education and health. Because we are aware that without adequate human resources, we will not succeed," said the Regent.
Johnny added that some superior commodities have indeed been embedded with Dairi Regency. He cited for agricultural products such as vegetables that have been able to provide additional income for farmers. Vegetables in the Regency becomes the mainstay for agricultural export to Singapore and Malaysia.
"The other mainstay products such as coffee and second crops are very well known. Vegetables have direct market in Singapore. Moreover, the travel time from Medan is only 2.5 hours, making it easier for the vegetables export," Johnny said.
Delphi Masdiana Ujung, S.H. Chairman of Local Parliament of the Regency, supports the steps taken by the Dairi Government. They are now drafting local regulation to determine the number of competitive commodities from the agricultural sector. Support is also given to the plan of sending public servants and individuals who will continue education at UGM. This policy is taken as part of improving the quality of human resources and education. "UGM can certainly help improve the quality of our human resources to be able to develop the region in the future ," he added.
Meanwhile, UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D, welcomed this cooperation because UGM and Dairi Regency government have many similarities. If the similarities are synergized it will certainly be supportive to mutual development.
He said that UGM was founded by leaders who hadstrong independence values. Therefore, their successors are now required to develop and apply science to civilization, usefulness and happiness for people. "Of course, happiness is intended for our brothers who are still lacking in terms of finance, ie. the people who live in remote areas," he said.
Also present and witnessing this event were Dr. Wisnu Nurcahyo and LPPM officials, Dairi Regency Government Officials, Head of Regional Planning Board John Mustafa Silalahi, Head of the Education Board, Head of Department of Forestry and Head of Department of Agriculture.