The existing rice drying machines being used by the farmers are not efficient because they use fuel oil. Therefore, I challenge the IPB students to create efficient machines and I will present them with a car.Bogor, W Java (ANTARA News) - State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan has challenged Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) students to come up with a new idea for creating an efficient rice drying machine.
"I will present a car to the students who are able to individually create an efficient rice drying machine," Dahlan said at System Expo 2012, organized by IPB at IPB International Convention Center here on Thursday.
The minister said that the lack of adequate agricultural equipment was a challenge for the agriculture sectors as many farmers complained about this shortage of equipment.
He added that properly working and appropriate agricultural equipment, availability of farm land, and farmers work output were decisive factors in reaching the agricultural production target.
"The existing rice drying machines being used by the farmers are not efficient because they use fuel oil. Therefore, I challenge the IPB students to create efficient machines and I will present them with a car," the state enterprises minister said.
According to Dahlan, the students should be encouraged and motivated to create small rice drying machines that run without using fuel oil.
Meanwhile, IPB Rector Prof Herry Suhardyanto said it was a good idea, presented by the enterprises minister, for the IPB students to follow up on.
"Dahlan Iskan has a very positive idea and we believe the students will be able to create such machines because they are now developing optimum agricultural systems," Herry said.
According to Herry, the IPB students would be able to create machines because they do not require high technology.
"We are ready to motivate the students to develop those machines at home because they do not need high technology," the IPB rector said.
(O001/INE)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
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