IPB to develop agroforestry

IPB to develop agroforestry

BOGOR: The Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) is planning to
develop agroforestry as a new scientific discipline, despite the
government's lack of support.

IPB rector Aman Wirakartakusuma said after attending the
Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education (SEANAFE) here
on Tuesday that the institute would initiate the new study next
year in compliance with the government's program to promote
autonomy for universities.

"Agroforestry is only a few years old, but it has developed so
rapidly. We are able to focus more on this new study, thanks to
major achievements in schools of agriculture and forestry," Aman
said.

He added that five other state universities -- Gadjah Mada in
Yogyakarta, Lambung Mangkurat in Banjarmasin, Brawijaya in
Malang, Mulawarman in Samarinda and the University of Lampung --
had shown a strong commitment to establishing agroforestry as a
new discipline.

Representatives of the five universities were among 33
participants of the SEANAFE meeting, the second of its kind,
hosted by IPB. Scholars from Thailand, Vietnam and the
Philippines and Swedish ambassador to Indonesia Harald Sandberg
were among the participants.

Aman said IPB would cooperate with SEANAFE in drafting the
curriculum for agroforestry study.

Since its inception in 1999, SEANAFE has received financial
aid from the Swedish government. The regional institution is
affiliated to the Center for International Agroforestry Research.
(21)