Universitas Brawijaya (UB) and the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad have collaborated to increase the potential for national food development in the East Java region. This collaboration was marked by the visit of the Commander of Infantry Division (Pangdivif) 2 Kostrad Major General TNI Anton Yuliantoro, S.I.P., M.Tr., together with Divif2/Kostrad Agricultural Experts accompanied by Kasdivit assistants to Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Thursday (20/6/ 2024).
UB Chancellor, Prof. Widodo, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.Med.Sc. welcomed the arrival of the Commander of Kostrad 2nd Infantry Division.
“We will follow up on cooperation in the field of food security, especially for cultivating corn and rice fields in East Java, and later there will be state defense activities for Universitas Brawijaya’s students. UB is ready to support with research experts, nurseries and technology for the success of the program that will be carried out between the two parties later,” said Prof. Widodo.
Apart from discussing food security, UB and Divif 2/Kostrad are also exploring collaboration in the form of leadership, discipline and national defense training for new students. Both parties consider it is important to keep the younger generation away from negative things that can damage the nation’s mentality, including Disrespect, Drugs, Radicalism, Free Sex, online gambling and even war by design. So that with leadership, discipline and national defense training, an attitude of mutual respect, a sense of shared destiny, a spirit of teamwork and most importantly, a sense of love and defense of the homeland can be developed.
Prof. Widodo wants the involvement of the 2nd Infantry Division of Kostrad to provide guidance to new students regarding possible threats, especially regarding radicalism. By this, it is hoped that students will not be infected by issues of radicalism inside or outside campus.
The National Food Security Program which will be implemented in the East Java region requires the role of various parties, and the National Army is ready to collaborate with UB’s experts.
“We need experts who are planned to be sent by the Chancellor of UB. He will send experts so that the program we have initiated can be successful,” he continued.
Maj. Gen. TNI Anton said he had prepared the land together with P.T. Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) includes 800 hectares of land in Jember which is ready for corn plantation, as well as land in Kepanjen area of Malang which is ready for rice plantation.
“We will immediately implement this activity as soon as possible, because some time ago we met with the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ir. “H. Andi Amran Sulaiman, M.P.. He gives full support and is ready to provide assistance in the form of seeds and fertilizer as needed,” he said.
He added that Divif 2/Kostrad would become a pilot project in the context of national food security if this collaboration with UB is successful.
“The Commander guarantees security, personnel, farmer groups and investors while the seeds and fertilizer are provided by the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said. (KAN/OKY/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
