UNS – The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., emphasized the critical role universities play in bolstering national food security. This statement was made during the 2nd Muktamar Ilmu Pengetahuan 2024 (Science Congress), held on Saturday (7/12/2024) at the G.P.H. Haryo Mataram Auditorium, UNS.

UNS has taken a proactive role by conducting investigative surveys to optimize agricultural land. This initiative responds to the significant reduction in existing farmland, which has led to substantial declines in agricultural production. Through these efforts, UNS aims to support the government’s self-sufficiency program in food production.

“The government has launched a food security program by collaborating with various parties, including universities,” Prof. Hartono stated.

One of the key topics Prof. Hartono highlighted was food distribution, particularly given Java Island’s significant demand for food. He expressed optimism that the congress’s theme, “Indonesia in the Current Geopolitical Landscape of Food Self-Sufficiency Through Organic Farming: Exploring Distribution Problems, Empowerment Strategies, and NU Contributions,” would yield valuable recommendations to address food challenges effectively.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to host the second Science Congress 2024. This reflects concrete collaboration between UNS, PWNU (Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama), and PCNU (Branch Board of Nahdlatul Ulama). We hope this partnership will continue to grow and benefit all parties involved,” he added.

The 2nd Muktamar Ilmu Pengetahuan 2024 was organized by the Institute for Human Resource Studies and Development (Lakpesdam) of PWNU Central Java. The event’s opening was graced by Rais and Chairperson of PWNU Central Java, KH Ubaidullah Shodaqoh, and KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin. The congress aims to reflect on and strategize roles in addressing global, social, and geopolitical challenges. It builds upon the success of the inaugural 2023 Science Congress, established as an annual agenda by Lakpesdam PWNU Central Java.

Two vice-ministers attended the congress. Vice Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, Muhammad Syafi’i, discussed the concept of civil society, emphasizing the effectiveness of fostering it through places of worship. He pointed to mosques as foundational hubs for civil society development since the Prophet Muhammad’s time. For Prophet Muhammad, it is fitting that the mosque be used again as the center of Muslim civilization. The community needs to make the mosque the center of developing the social life of the Islamic community to create a civilization order that has central values.

“Mosques served as significant social capital during the Prophet’s era in building Islamic civilization, whose influence endures today. Strengthening civil society can be very effective with the involvement of religious leaders,” Syafi’i remarked.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono underlined the vital importance of national food security. Various government programs have been implemented to support this goal, including simplifying fertilizer distribution regulations, centralized coordination of agricultural extension governance, restructuring the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), and engaging millennial farmers.

“In the future, fertilizer distribution will be simplified—from manufacturers directly to retailers or farmer groups and then to individual farmers. This step is being prepared gradually,” Sudaryono explained.

The congress featured three discussion sessions, each addressing critical issues: Food Self-Sufficiency Through Organic Farming (exploring solutions to food security challenges rooted in local wisdom), NU’s Empowerment and Service Strategies (examining community empowerment to strengthen NU’s role as a civil society entity), and Indonesia in the Current Geopolitical Landscape (discussing NU’s strategic role in regional and global geopolitical dynamics).

These discussions align with UNS’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically Goal 2 Zero Hunger, through food security programs, and Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being. Humas UNS