Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., DEA. said animal husbandry in tropical countries can significantly increase food sovereignty.
“The role of animal husbandry in tropical countries becomes important as savings, capital accumulation, as well as input supply for food plants through animal waste products that can be processed into fertilizer,” said Ali Agus on Thursday (!4/9).
In addition, according to Ali, the effort to measure the contribution of animal husbandry towards food sovereignty in tropical countries is essential to identify the excellence and commodity competitiveness as well as its derived products.
Ali said farmers in tropical countries did not have the power to control the mechanism of food production and policies because the farmers in the tropical area are often characterized by their small scale enterprises. Livestocks, according to Ali, have been attached to the life of small farmers in tropical countries. Therefore, by involving small farmers in production mechanism and policies means we also secure food sovereignty of a nation. The event entitled Contribution of Livestock Production to Food Sovereignty in Tropical Countries is a seminar that has an essential contribution to the development of national food sovereignty. This seminar is attended by as many as 250 participants from 11 countries in tropical areas.
“This seminar introduces knowledge and new tools that are utilized in maintaining a safe environment and finding a more effective solution to address challenges in the future,” he added.
On the other hand, UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. said in a more comprehensive meaning, food sovereignty is not only described as the food availability but also access to the food based on the local potential.
“Indonesia and other tropical countries are rich in local livestock resources and livestock diversity. It is a potential asset which is useful both in domestic and international markets in the future,” said Panut during the opening of the event.
However, according to UGM Rector, in tropical countries, livestock production is still run by small breeders.
“The existing issues including the imbalances between supply and demand of tropical livestock product in the market, low capacity and capability of the breeders, as well as the lack of innovation and technology, become challenges for food sovereignty realization,” said Panut.
In order to address those issues, it requires synergy among stakeholders who are government, breeders, community, researchers, and academicians.
‘This seminar is a synergy among the government, researchers, and academicians which is realized through presentation and scientific discussion. The issues regarding food sovereignty will be discussed here to find the solution as well as a recommendation for tropical livestock production,” he added.