IPB to optimize ADC's research function

Bogor (Antaranews Bogor) - The Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) will optimize the research functions of the Agribusiness Development Center (ADC) after the transfer from Taiwan ICDF, IPB's Rector Professor Herry Suhardiyanto stated.

"As the new technical maintenance of ADC, IPB will optimize its function as a research center for the IPB's academia and also other universities in Indonesia," emphasized Suhardiyanto at ADC Office, Cikarawang, in Bogor District, West Java, on Tuesday.

The Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) has been assisting the farmers in Bogor through ADC with integrated agribusiness system skills since 2007 and since 2011, and IPB was chosen as its counterpart in developing the cooperation.

Until now, IPB has notified several universities such as Lampung University, Udayana University in Bali and Sepuluh November Institute of Technology in Surabaya, which have shown interest in being part of the research cooperation.

"And of course, we will continue to enhance our partnership with the ADC farmer group," he explained.

Professor Suhardiyanto added that ADC has helped in the increase of agribusiness capacity of the farmers in cultivating organic and non-organic vegetables and fruits.

"The farmers' income grouped in ADC has increased 30 percent during its six years of cooperation," Suhardiyanto noted.

"It is indicated that the research on agribusiness sector should be developed in order to increase the farming capacity, not only cultivating, but also its marketing system," he added.

The farmers under ADC gain total revenue RP145 millions rupiah per month in supplying fruits and vegetables with modern packaging to 43 supermarkets in Bogor and Jakarta Capital Region.
(T.A060/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 31-12-2013 17:08:52