Government trusts ULM to support food security sector

Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has been entrusted by the government to continue strengthening research and innovation in agriculture sector to support food security.

"ULM as a state university accredited with Excellence in South Kalimantan has been appointed by the government to contribute by strengthening research and innovation in agricultural sector," said ULM Rector Professor Ahmad Alim Bachri in Banjarmasin, Friday.

ULM is one of 18 universities that will collaborate in supporting the government's strategic agenda, particularly in food security.

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Through this joint agreement, ULM will work with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), Agriculture Ministry, and National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to strengthen research and innovation in agriculture.

One of the implementation of this collaboration is the development of 100 hectares corn and coffee planting program, which is part of strengthening agricultural research and downstream ecosystem.

He hopes this collaboration will encourage research-based innovation not only to increase agricultural productivity, but also provides added value through commodity downstreaming process.

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"Through collaboration across-ministeries and national reseach agency, a resilient, sustainable, and research-based food system will be created in Indonesia," he pointed out.

The signing of agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Kemdiktisaintek and BRIN in Jakarta was attended by 18 universities appointed to support sustainable food self-sufficiency and downstreaming of agricultural commodities in Indonesia.