Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM is currently making the blueprint of livestock products sovereignty. This was said by Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., DEA., on Wednesday (7/6) at the Faculty. The blueprint is a form of concrete contribution by the University in welcoming 100 years of independence of Republic of Indonesia in 2045.
Ali Agus said Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM is ready to contribute to realizing food sovereignty through the provision of animal nutrient from livestock. According to the Dean, food sovereignty is the right of a nation to determine their own policy on it. Food sovereignty can ensure the rights on food for the society and gives the rights to the society to determine the food system that correspond to the local resources potential.
The efforts to realize food sovereignty are not easy. Prof. Ali said there are at least six important elements that have to be noticed to realizing food sovereignty. Those elements are basic rights or human rights, autonomy rights to manage food, trade, and fair food price. The other three elements include the supports to enhance the sustainability of farming, control of production factors, such as soil, water, and seeds as well as healthy provision, and the last is halal.
Meanwhile, Chair of Senates of Faculty of Animal Sciences, Prof. Dr. Zaenal Bachruddin, said in order to realize food sovereignty, we need to make a synergy among several nation’s components which are academicians, government, and the society. The society component, including businessmen, has an essential role in realizing food sovereignty.
Prof. Zaenal said in realizing food sovereignty, we have to create and develop micro, small, and medium businesses in animal husbandry sector. Small-scale animal husbandry needs to be given an access to utilize the farm land at least one hectare with ownership of at least 10 cattle for each cattle breeders.
“If the scheme can be implemented, the welfare of cattle breeders can increase significantly throughout Indonesia,” said Prof. Zaenal.