Faculty of Agriculture UGM collaborating with Center for Development Innovation Wageningen University and Research (CDI WUR), the Netherlands, held an International Refresher Course for Netherland Fellowship Program (NFP) alumni entitled Designing Sustainable Horticulture Value Chains toward a Food Secure Future.
The course coordinators were Edwin van der Maden, M.Sc. and Yeray Saavedra Gonzalez, M.Sc. from CDI WUR and one local coordinator from Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture UGM, Ani Widiastuti, Ph.D. Further Ani said this event was a capacity building activity for mid-career agricultural professional to increase their capability in designing and implementing inventions towards food and nutrition security and safety.
Ani further said the participants consisted of 20 people from 14 countries of Asia and Africa, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Jordan, Indonesia, Benin, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya.
“They come from diverse universities, research institute, government and the private sector. Participants not only learned regarding how to design a sustainable horticulture value chain but also build international cooperation in order to strengthen the international collaboration on research and solving problems in the horticultural sector from many different perspectives,” said Ani on Friday (20/10).
This course was held from October 2 – 13, 2017 in Harper Mangkubumi Hotel, Yogyakarta. It was officially opened by the Head of Office of International Affairs UGM, Dr. I Made Andi Arsana. The course consisted of interactive lecturers given by course facilitators and guest experts, case study and group works, exercises and assignments, farm excursions and also one-day seminar that was attended by NFP alumni, particularly who live in Java Island.