The central and local governments, cooperating with the campus, continue to boost Food Estate development in North Sumatra Province.

Through the Directorate General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture, the central government is working with the Regional Government of North Sumatra Province, the Universitas Sumatera Utara, and the Institut Teknologi Del to boost the program’s success.

USU Rector Dr. Muryanto Amin, who attended the Potato Harvest and Kickoff of the 785-hectare Food Estate in Ria-ria Village, Pollung District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, on Tuesday (23/3), said that at least several points became the main focus in the development of this Food Estate.

“One of them is reducing the use of pesticide fertilizers. This needs to be socialized and supported to be applied by local farmers. Farmers must also consider the environmental impact, so expect farmers to be supported to use more natural fertilizers,” he said.

In addition, farmers’ production must be supported to improve their welfare. According to him, the welfare of farmers is an important focus to achieve so that farmers can improve their standard of living. Therefore, USU is ready to reduce its academic community to encourage the welfare of farmers.

“Through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program, USU will contribute by sending students and lecturers to apply their knowledge on this existing land. All faculties can contribute, not only the Faculty of Agriculture but also the Faculty of Engineering and others,” he said.

The USU Rector believes that the collaboration between the campus and the central and regional governments will make the Food Estate program more targeted and achieve the goals that have been set together. When we met at the event, the Rector of Institut Teknologi Del, Prof. Ir. Togar M. Simatupang, M.Tech, Ph.D, hoped that this collaboration would positively impact the development of the Food Estate.

“This momentum is good for the future development of this Food Estate. The joining of USU and IT Del provides great potential for the success of this program. USU and IT Del have often worked together, so they already know each other,” said Rector of IT Del.

With the presence of USU and IT Del, cooperation and synergy can be appropriately facilitated so that the process of breeding, cultivation, harvesting, and marketing can be appropriately facilitated. Of course, this will impact the welfare of farmers. As a result, empowerment of the surrounding community can be carried out and have a real impact.

“As the Governor of North Sumatra said, North Sumatra produces only 9% of the onion. The governor expects onion production to be above 20% in the future. This will have a real impact on the community,” he added.

The Potato Harvest and Food Estate Kickoff was attended by the Governor of North Sumatra, leaders of the Directorate General from across ministries, and regional leaders of Humbang Hasundutan Regency. The whole group is scheduled to conduct a visitation and the first potato harvest.