Learning About the Agricultural Food System in Bali, Meiji University Students, Tokyo Japan Make a Visit to the Faculty of Agriculture of Udayana University

The delegation from Meiji University led by Asc. Prof. Fumitaka Shiotsu from the Laboratory of Crop Science Tokyo Japan paid a visit to the Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University from 9 to 14 December 2022. A total of 7 students from Meiji University consisting of 3 Masters students and 4 S1 students learned about the food-agriculture system in Bali, especially rice and palawija from the Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University. This visit was a follow-up to the collaboration between the Faculty of Agriculture of Udayana University and the Faculty of Agriculture of Meiji University, Tokyo Japan, which was signed in early 2020 (early pandemic). The activity began with field visits to several agricultural areas in Tabanan Regency, especially Jatiluwih, several subaks in Badung Regency and in Gianyar Regency.

The delegation from Meiji University saw firsthand the procedures for cultivating rice plants, the type of rice planted, productivity, marketing of the results. Observations were also made on the palawija cultivation system in Bali, including the intercropping system between corn and peanuts. After the field visit, the group held a discussion at the Biopesticide Lab, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, on the floor. 3 Unud Postgraduate Building, namely on December 12 2022. The discussion was attended by Prof. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta, Prof. I Gede Putu Wirawan, Dr. I G.N.Alit Susanta Wirya and I Putu Sudiarta, SP., M.Sc., Ph.D. Discussions were held to deepen field observations. In addition, each student also briefly conveyed the research and results that had been achieved. Two Master students from Meiji University conducted research on the Silabu cultivation system (one time planting, multiple harvests), namely the system of utilizing rice ratoons (embong) for the next planting. The discussion focused on the advantages and disadvantages of the Lilinu system, and what efforts should be made to increase the quantity and quality of the rice yields.

On the last day of visiting Unud, Dr. Shiotsu and 2 Masters students accompanied by Prof. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta visited and discussed with the Head of the Bali Province Agriculture and Food Security Office, Dr. Sunada on 13 December 2022. The discussion focused on the development of organic farming systems and the development of the Lilinu system in Bali. Head of Agriculture and Food Security Office of Bali Province, bpk. Dr. Sunada said Bali is currently focusing on developing an organic rice system, and has already conducted several demonstration plots for the Lilinu system. "We hope that Dr. Shiotsu and the team from Japan, and the Faculty of Agriculture of Udayana University can support the development of organic farming systems and Lilinu in Bali," he said. Dr. Shiotsu on this occasion presented several researches on the Lilinu system, especially in Japan, China and several African countries. On the occasion of the visit to the Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, discussions were also held regarding the follow-up of the collaboration which will begin in 2023.

"There are 2 activities that have been planned, and the Faculty of Agriculture is ready as a partner, namely sending Meiji University master students to research for 2 weeks at Unud in order to complete a thesis," said Prof. God Ngurah Suprapta. Prof. further Dewa Ngurah Suprapta said that this activity would start around April 2023. The second activity is a joint lecture and joint international community services activities which are planned for the second week of September 2023. A total of 8 students and one lecturer from Meiji University will visit the Faculty of Agriculture of Udayana University to carrying out joint lecture activities joining Unud Faculty of Agriculture students to deepen The Uniqueness of Tropical Agricultural system in Bali, Indonesia.

“This activity is planned to be carried out regularly every year. The two institutions are expected to be able to carry out other activities such as credit earning (freedom of learning), joint seminars/workshops, and double degree programs in master programs," he said. After carrying out various activities in Bali, the delegation from Meiji University returned to Japan on December 14 2022. (r)