One of goals of The Nawa Cita vision of President Joko Widodo is to build the state from the borders. Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM supports this spirit. To realise food sovereignty, Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, D.E.A., has formed a cooperation with the National Borders Authorities (BNPP) by dispatching experts to the agency for integrated farming training from 28 - 30 November 2016, at Entikong, Sanggau regency, West Kalimantan.
Bambang Suwignyo, Ph.D., from BNPP said the training was to enhance farmer capacities in border areas towards food sovereignty through integrated farming concept. Bambang emphasised the importance of optimisation use of cattle that produces organic fertiliser, as well as farming waste availability for animal feeder.
"The concept is on integrated farming from the border areas,” said Bambang on Wednesday (30/11).
Other researchers, Cuk Tri Noviandi, Ph.D., described the type of agricultural waste that can be used as feeder. He trained the farmers on silage and feeder making, using available resources. Meanwhile, Dr. Tri Harjaka from Faculty of Agriculture UGM explained crop cultivation, disease control, and environmentally friendly fertilisers.
Furthermore, Prof. Ali Agus said the training was to enhance the state existence on border area as this is important to do.
“Hopefully, the integrated farming activities can strengthen the nationalism of the border people in order that they would contribute to the realisation of national food sovereignty,” he said.