[Unpad.ac.id, 1/09/2016] Prof. Hermann Waibel from Hannover University, Germany delivered public lecture to students of Study Program Agribusiness Faculty of Agriculture (Bachelor) and students of magister Agrocomplex Universitas Padjadjaran in Bale Sawala, Rectorate Building Unpad campus Jatinangor, Thursday (1/09). To the students, Prof. Hermann elaborated material with the theme “Sustainable Agricultural Development Through Empowerment of Agricultural Scientist”.
Prof. Hermann said that in a number of countries in Asia, occurred decrease in the contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the agricultural sector is a sector that is very important to study and will become a big business in the future. It is also considering the issue of food self-sufficiency is still a hot issue to be discussed.
“Agriculture is very important and will be increasingly more important in the future. Agriculture will also be a great business, “said Prof. Hermann.
Prof. Hermann also revealed the challenges faced by researchers in the field of agriculture today. One of them, researchers need to understand about poverty for the majority of farmers, in some countries, that are still in the category of poor.
“Not all of them, but the majority of farmers are still poor. This was still the case in some countries. So when looking into about agriculture, we need to understand about poverty, “he said.
In addition, it is also worth noting that the researchers need to understand the economic environment and the natural resources given in the agricultural sector as closely related to nature and the environment. Researchers also need to understand the value chain for agricultural commodities that is also very closely related to the market situation.
This public lecture was opened by the Head of Study Program Agribusiness Faculty of Agriculture Unpad, Dr. Iwan Setiawan, SP., M.Si. On the occasion, Dr. Iwan said that this time the public lecture is one of the four activities of visiting lecturers from foreign experts held by Agribusiness Unpad.
“The main purpose of visiting lecturers are to share knowledge and build cooperation, both in education and in research,” said Dr. Iwan. *
Reported by Artanti Hendriyana / eh
