Denpasar – Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Triple Helix Program for agricultural development/food security in Bali, Monday (3/8/2020). The signing ceremony was held at Jaya Sabha, Bali Governor’s Office in Denpasar by inviting the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Buleleng Regency Government, Queensland Trade and Investment, and Central Queensland University. The Triple Helix program is an innovation model that involves academics, industry and government to foster economic and social development.
This Triple Helix Program is devoted to the development of Balinese cattle in Buleleng Regency. Rector of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Jampel, M.Pd., said Undiksha as one of the state universities in Bali is committed to supporting government programs, one of which is in realizing food security in Bali.
He explained that Buleleng Regency is designated as one of the Balinese cattle development areas. There was also high support from the government of Buleleng Regency and the Bali Province. Jampel said, “We appreciate the steps of Bappenas for facilitating this collaboration. Of course, we hope this synergy will bring benefits for the society”. After signing this MoU, Undiksha would create a network with related parties. “Networking with collaborating parties and those handling animal husbandry is needed. So, this program can be implemented as we expect,” as explained by the Rector of Undiksha.
This program is expected to be able to provide benefits for the community, both in Bali and nationally, especially those engaged in agriculture and farming in a broad sense. Jampel added, “We want this program run sustainably so that Balinese cattle can be developed with modern technology and run effectively”.
Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Drh. I Ketut Diarmita, M.P., explained this collaboration as an effort to encourage Bali cattle development, in the context of improving the quality of livestock. He explained, “With the Covid-19 pandemic, livestock in Indonesia were also affected. Distribution was disrupted, farmers’ incomes were decreasing. However, we must not stop making efforts. Today, we are making a breakthrough as an effort to improve the quality of livestock”.
Furthermore, referring to the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture No. 472 of 2018 concerning the Location of the National Agricultural Area, Buleleng Regency is the location of cattle development in Bali. Therefore, the Triple Helix Program is considered suitable to be implemented and gets the support of Undiksha.
Diarmita said, “We hope that Undiksha can contribute to the implementation of sustainable development in the field of livestock. And also Undiksha provides support both for provincial and central government”.
The Governor of Bali’s from his remark expected that through this program the productivity of Bali cattle could be increased so that they could fulfill community needs. This remark was read by the Assistant for Government Affairs and Society Welfare, Regional Secretary of Bali Province, I Gede Indra Dewa Putra, S.E., M.M.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Ministry of National Development Planning / National Planning and Development Agency, Dr. Ir. Himawan H.D, M.Sc., said that in the Triple Helix Program there was the involvement of the government, universities, and the business to build Bali cattle farm. The aim is how the current Bali cattle productivity can be increased and managed in a modern system with better maintenance patterns.
Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of National Planning and Development Agency, Dr. Ir. Arifin Rudianto, M.Sc. who conveyed the directives from the Minister of National Development Planning, said that the MoU must be followed up with a more detailed action plan from each related party.
He stated, “If the opportunity had been created earlier, then the future will be easier”. He also explained, the challenge of this program lies in the commitment from the cooperation actors and how to change the mindset of farmers to switch from traditional to modern farms systems. (hms)
