REPRESENTATIVE Lecturer who is also a researcher from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Dr. Maja Slingerlan, visited UNIB and held a meeting with Lecturers and Researchers at the Faculty of Agriculture (FP UNIB), to discuss plans for collaborative research on sustainable palm oil plantations, Wednesday (12/10/2022).
Dr. Maja Slingerlan was warmly welcomed by Rector of UNIB, Dr. Retno Agustina Ekaputri, S.E, M.Sc in her office. Then regarding the plan for collaborative research in the field of oil palm plantations, Rector also greatly appreciates it and hopes that it can be realized soon to improve the image of international collaborative research for their respective institutions.
“In addition, we certainly hope that the results of the discussion and research carried out will later be able to contribute to the community and the Government of Bengkulu Province in improving the development and management of the oil palm plantation sector. Because we know that palm oil is one of the mainstay commodities in Bengkulu,” said Dr. Retno Agustina.
In a collaborative meeting held with the leadership of the UNIB Faculty of Agriculture and relevant Professors and Research Lecturers, Dr. Maja Slingerland explained that she is currently implementing projects related to Sustainable Oil Palm. One of the project activities at this time is in collaboration with PT Agricinal and Start-Up Arconesia to intercropping oil palm with several types of food crops and horticulture.
Several scenarios were developed to increase the sustainability of oil palm plantations, by Increasing the yield of oil palm plantations per hectare; Integrating livestock and food crops in oil palm plantations; Adding added value to products from palm oil; and Efforts to reduce new land clearing, especially in peat areas and forest areas that cause deforestation.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNIB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti, M.S appreciated the implementation of the Sustainable Oil Palm project carried out by Dr. Maja Slingerlan at PT. Agricinal and welcomed the planned research collaboration to be carried out.
“Hopefully in the future, this discussion can be followed up and provide opportunities for FP UNIB lecturers and researchers to carry out collaborative research related to sustainable oil palm plantations,” he said. [Report : Yansen, Editor : Purna Herawan/Humas].