Webinar Food Security in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Celebrating their 8th anniversary in late of May 2020, Department of Agriculture of the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro (FPP, Undip) held a webinar with theme “The Role of Plant Protection for Food Security in the Covid-19 Pandemic”. The keynote speakers namely Prof. Achmadi Priyatmojo (Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University), Prof. Loekas Soesanto (Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University), and Dr. Masanto (Tanjung Priok BBKP Agricultural Quarantine Officer). The opening speech by the Head of Department of Agriculture, Dr. Didik Wisnu Widjajanto stated that this pandemic should become a momentum for the exponential growth of Indonesian agriculture by strengthening the synergy between academics, the government, research center, professional organizations, farmers and  private sector to achieved the food security. Prof. Achmadi Priyatmojo discussed the importance of professional associations and the use of information technology in plant protection. While Prof. Loekas Soesanto questions the role of biological agents and plant pesticides in crop protection. Dr. Masanto talk about the role of agricultural quarantine in maintaining Indonesia’s food security. This webinar was conducted through Google Meeting and Live Youtube, attended by no less than 2,275 participants. The participants were mostly students, lecturers, researchers, extension workers, agricultural practitioners who came from various parts of Indonesia.