Mahasiswa Pertanian Unlam Banjarmasin Ditantang Mentan Garap Lahan 10.000 Ha
Indonesian Students are Invited Support Attainment of Food Self-sufficiency
Editor : M. Achsan Atjo
Translator : Dhelia Gani
Banjarmasin, Kalsel (B2B) - Pemerintah RI menyadari peran mahasiswa sebagai agen pembangunan, hal itu mendorong Menteri Pertanian RI Andi Amran Sulaiman setiap berada di daerah berupaya menyediakan waktu berdialog dengan kalangan civitas academica, kali ini dilakukan di Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (Unlam) di Banjarmasin pada kunjungan kerja di Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan.
Dekan Fakultas Pertanian Unlam Prof Danang Biatmoko mengatakan bahwa mahasiswanya telah lama menantikan kehadiran Mentan Amran Sulaiman untuk memberikan kuliah umum di fakultasnya.
"Mahasiswa di sini mengidolakan pak menteri setelah membaca berita-berita di media massa, mereka akhirnya menemukan sosok yang menginspirasi. Satunya kata dengan perbuatan. Bukan sekadar berwacana tapi datang dan memberi bantuan kepada petani. Berani menyetop impor pangan yang merugikan petani dan rakyat," kata Danang Biatmoko dalam sambutannya di Banjarmasin pada Kamis (15/12).
Mentan mengatakan perguruan tinggi dan mahasiswa adalah bagian penting dari pembangunan negeri ini, dan pemerintah pusat mengajak mahasiswa turut serta membangun pertanian nasional, dan Kementerian Pertanian RI siap mendukung fakultas pertanian di perguruan tingi negeri di Kawasan Timur Indonesia (KTI) mengembangkan lahan 1.000 hektar.
"Kementerian yang akan mendukung penyediaan benih, pupuk dan Alsintan. Kami hanya meminta sumbangan pemikiran dan kerja keras. Saya tantang mahasiswa pertanian di sini untuk menggarap lahan 10.000 hektar sebagai pemanasan sebelum kita mengambil alih beras Pakistan ke Malaysia. Kenapa mesti Pakistan yang memenuhi kebutuhan itu, padahal jarak Kalimantan lebih dekat dan nggak berat di ongkos karena tinggal lempar," kata Mentan.
Kabinet Kerja di bawah kendali Joko Widodo - Jusuf Kalla menghasilkan capaian penting pada produksi pangan 2016 meningkat: padi naik4,96%, jagung 18,11%, aneka cabai 9,66%, dan bawang merah 3,75%. Kemudian Januari - Agustus berhasil menurunkan impor jagung hingga 61%, tidak impor beras premium dan bawang merah, ekspor beras organik meningkat 67%, ubi kayu 25%, cabai 12%, daging ayam dan telur naik lebih tinggi ketimbang 2015.
"Saya lantas teringat pidato Bung Karno pada 27 April 1952 bahwa nasib suatu negara tergantung pangan. Ketahanan pangan menentukan ketahanan negara. Pesan itu pula yang membuat saya tetap bangkit meski tekanan darah sering naik, bahkan harus berobat ke Jerman. Nggak apa-apa, saya sudah wakafkan diri saya untuk kepentingan negara," Amran yang disambut tempik sorak mahasiswa pertanian Unlam.
Jangan Mengeluh
Kuliah umum yang berlangsung lebih 1,5 jam berlangsung semarak dan kerap terdengan gelak tawa dan tempik sorak serta diwarnai kejutan mendengarkan uraian fakta pertanian nasional maupun pengalaman hidup Mentan yang merupakan anak desa dari Kabupaten Bone, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan.
"Saya lahir miskin tapi tidak mau mati dalam keadaan miskin. Kunci sukses adalah kejujuran. Hidup saya tidak seenak kalian. Saya harus jual batu, kue, ikan untuk membiayai sekolah dan kuliah. Saya cuma bisa menangis tapi tetap bersyukur pada Allah SWT karena dianugerahi tekad dan kemauan. Akumulasi tetesan airmata pula yang mengantar saya berdiri di depan kalian saat ini," kata Mentan yang membuat seluruh mahasiswa tercenung dan terdiam.
Dia pun mengingatkan mahasiwa untuk hidup mandiri, dengan memanfaatkan waktu luang untuk bekerja paruh waktu, karena mahasiswa tangguh yang akan menjelma menjadi manusia sukses.
"Kalau ada mahasiswa di sini yang kuliah naik mobil maka hentikan dulu. Bukan tidak boleh, karena mahasiswa harus menjalani proses.....," kata Mentan Amran Sulaiman.
Tampak hadir Staf Khusus Kasad Brigjen TNI M Afifuddin, Wakil Gubernur Kalsel, Rudy Resnawan; Danrem 101/Antasari Kolonel Kav Yanuar Adil, Tenaga Ahli Mentan, Sam Herodian; dan Kepala Biro Humas dan Informasi Publik Kementan, Agung Hendriadi.
Banjarmasin, South Borneo (B2B) - The Indonesian government aware of student's role as agents of development, and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman on every working visit seeks to take the time dialogue with students, this time in Faculty of Agriculture in Banjarmasin's Lambung Mangkurat University while his working visit in South Borneo Province.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Danang Biatmoko said the students had been long waiting for Minister Sulaiman gave a public lecture in his faculty.
"Students here idolize mister minister after read the news in mass media, they finally find someone who inspires. One word and deed. Not just to talk but came and help the farmers. Dare to stop food imports are harming farmers and the people," Biatmoko in his speech here on Thursday (12.15.16).
Mr Sulaiman said the university and students is an important part of the country's development, and the central government asked the students to participate in national agricultural development, and Agriculture Ministry is ready to support the agricultural faculty at public universities in eastern Indonesia developing 1,000 hectares of agricultural land.
"The ministry will support provision of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural machinery. We were just expecting contribute ideas and work hard. I want to challenge agricultural students here for cultivation in the land of 10,000 hectares as a warm-up, before we took over the Pakistani rice to Malaysia. Why should Pakistan, Borneo distance closer to Malaysia and distribution costs inexpensive,
Working Cabinet of Joko Widodo administration noted the important achievements in 2016 increased food production: paddy 4.96%, corn 18.11%, chili 9.66%, shallots 3.75%. Then from January to August managed to lose 61% of corn imports, no import of premium rice and onion, organic rice exports increased 67%, cassava 25%, chili 12%, chicken meat and eggs rose higher than 2015.
"I then remembered Bung Karno's speech on 27 April 1952 that the fate of a country depends on food. Food security determines the resilience of state. The message was also making me keep the spirit even though blood pressure go up, I also had to go to Germany for medical treatment. No problem, I ready to serve for the state," Mr Sulaiman said.
Do Not Complain
The public lecture lasted over 1.5 hours, lively and often heard laughter and shout cheers when the students listen the facts about Indonesian agricultural development and life experiences of the man from Bone District of South Sulawesi Province.
"I was born poor but do not want to die miserable. The key to success is honesty. My life is not like you. I have to sell the stone, cakes, and fish for education expenses. I can only cry but still gave thanks to God, because is blessed by the determination and willingness . Accumulated of tears which ushered I stand before you now," said Mr. Sulaiman makes all students stunned and silent.
He also reminded the students to live independently, to use their spare time for work part-time, because strong students be successful.
"If there are students here that to campus by car, stop the habit. Not prohibited, but the student must undergo the process .....,"
It was attended by Special Staff of Army Chief of Staff Brigadier General M Afifuddin; Deputy South Kalimantan Governor, Rudy Resnawan; Commmander of 101's Antasari Resort Military Command, Colonel Yanuar Adil; expert of minister, Sam Herodian; and spokesman of the ministry, Agung Hendriadi.