Amid the rampant environmental degradation and global warming caused by both natural events and human activities, various parties, including academics, must take steps to preserve the Earth.
This includes conserving endangered or nearly extinct plants and animals and developing genetic resources in the food sector.
Professor Taryono of the UGM Faculty of Agriculture emphasized protecting and nurturing genetic resources. Genetic resources play a crucial role in the sustainability of food systems for humans and animals.
To work towards a sustainable food system, it is necessary to consider the factors and impacts involved, including social, economic, and environmental factors.
“We must understand how to maximize and utilize genetic resources for the sustainability of food systems,” said Professor Taryono at the 2024 UGM Annual Scientific Conferences (UASC) held on Oct. 23-24 at the University Club Hotel.
Professor Taryono also highlighted the development of UGM’s genetic resources through the Agro-technology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM) in Kalitirto and Wanagama, which is developing germplasm and superior plant seeds for food and horticulture.
Professor Markus Frank from the University of Nuertingen-Geislingen presented Decision Support System (DSS) tools to help farmers achieve sustainable farming based on the plant life cycle.
His case study in Brazil showed that using DSS tools to produce crops such as corn, cotton, and soybeans resulted in a 50% increase in yield.
These tools are predicted to save more energy and costs in agriculture and plantation efforts. “Sustainable food systems require agroecological intensification in their development,” said Professor Frank.
In her opening remarks, UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia emphasized that the continuous advancements in modern technology, which have transformed human life, require a collective responsibility to maintain the Earth’s sustainability.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers and professionals worldwide who have contributed significantly to humanity and the environment.
The UASC is known to combine the 10th International Conference on Science and Technology (ICST UGM 2024) and the 5th International Conference on Smart and Innovative Agriculture (ICoSIA UGM 2024).
This year, ICST received 226 submissions from 18 countries, including China, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and others. ICoSIA received 65 submissions from 7 countries, including South Korea, Italy, Hungary, and Japan.
Professor José Sena Cruz (University of Minho), Associate Professor Pankaj Attri (Kyushu University), Professor Cheng-Hao Chuang (Tamkang University), and Dr. Lujia Feng (Nanyang Technological University) were some of the keynote speakers at this event.
Professor Sholihin (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Assistant Professor Gil G. Cruz Jr. (University of the Philippines), and Professor Indriana Kartini (Universitas Gadjah Mada) were invited speakers.
Author: Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif