ENG
INA
Realize Future Collaboration through the International Workshop of Udayana University x Murdoch University
Udayana University received scholar visit from Murdoch University on Tuesday, 4 February, 2025, at Senate Room on 4th floor, Agrocomplex Building, Udayana University, Sudirman Campus, Denpasar, and broadcasted live on the Udayana TV Youtube channel. This activity is an international workshop related to Balinese agriculture and resource management which was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University (FKH Unud), Prof. Dr. drh. I Nyoman Suartha, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University (FP Unud), I Putu Sudiarta, S.P., M.Si., Ph.D., two Murdoch University lecturers, Dr. Jassim Uddin and Dr. Animesh Kumar Gain, and five speakers, namely Prof. Dr. drh. I Gusti Ngurah Kade Mahardika, Prof. John Stephen Lansing, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Windia, S.H., M.Si., Prof. Dr. Ir. Ketut Suamba, M.P, and Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Darma Putra, M. Litt.
This workshop began with an official speech by the Dean of FKH Unud, Dean of FP Unud, and lecturer from Murdoch University. In their remarks, they expressed their hopes for this workshop so that they could become a forum between Udayana University and Murdoch University to collaborate and work in the future. In this activity as many as 26 students from Murdoch University attended as academic visit participants.
This activity divided into two sessions. The first session was started by Prof. Dr. drh. I Gusti Ngurah Kade Mahardika, who explains about "Animal Health in Bali: Challenges", he highlights the Bali Province with high population density including humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife that allows the spread of disease agents between humans and animals. Next speakers was Prof. John Stephen Lansing, with the topic "Culture Landscape of Balinese Subak" which is delivered online via Zoom Meeting. He explained the problem of methane emissions from rice fields caused by methanogenic bacteria when rice fields are flooded. If the rice field dries out in a short time, the bacteria stop producing methane, so that the emissions drop dramatically. Through research in Bali, a comparison was made of methane content between rice fields that were always flooded with water and rice fields that were only given water when the soil was dry. In this research, the results showed that drier rice fields produced 80% less methane than rice fields that were always flooded with water. Even though there are differences in water content, rice will still grow on both fields if it’s accompanied by good soil management. This will benefit farmers who use dry land by selling carbon credits as proof of reduced emissions, stable crop yields, and a better protected environment.
The second session presented three speakers with different topics. This session was opened with the presentation of the material "Subak in Bali and some of the Problems" by Prof. Dr. I Wayan Windia, S.H., M.Si. He explained the legal aspect where the existence of subak has been recognized in Indonesia in the Indonesian Constitution Article 18B paragraph 2, 28I No. 3, and Article 32. However, the recognition and respect that must be carried out until now there is no clarity because there is still no organic law related to this matter. The Provincial Government of Bali needs to adjust the subak regional regulations and customary villages with law no. 15 of 2023. Unfortunately, regulations regarding subak still do not have special provisions in national regulations, this has led to confusion and problems related to the existence of subak, like the case of unstoppable land conversion which causes around 1,568 hectares of agricultural land to disappear every year in Bali.
Furthermore, the next presentation was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ir. I Ketut Suamba, M.P, with the topic of “The Institution of Subak", he explained that subak symbolizes the element of Tri Hita Karana (a form of harmonious relationship between humans, God, and nature) as the basis for the traditional irrigation system in Bali. In addition, he also highlighted subak problems, such as water decreased, tissue damage, siltation, and the most difficult to overcome was the problem of waste. After that presentation, the last material exposure as a closing by Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Darma Putra, M.Litt., with the topic of "Culture and Tourism Agriculture Decline". This topic underscores the preservation of agricultural land and the sustainability of the subak system which faces the challenge of using rice fields and subak as tourist attractions, which often leads to conflict. Therefore, resource management must remain dynamic and sustainable.
This activity will be followed by a tourist visit on 5-8 February 2025. During this period, participants will make a tourist visit to Monkey Forest, Penglipuran Tourism Village, Kintamani, Satria Coffee Plantation, Subak Lodtunduh (discussion with 15 pekaseh (a person who manages irrigation systems), Denpasar Veterinary Center (BBVet), workshop with one kelian and 15 local people in Karangasem, Tenganan Forest, Taman Ayun, Bedugul, and Tanah Lot.
The workshop activities went smoothly, as seen from the activeness and enthusiasm of the participants during the discussion session. As a closing, a photo session was held with participants, as well as giving souvenirs to the speaker. Through this workshop, participants are expected to be able to understand agricultural and resource governance, as well as collaborate and contribute to the agricultural field for the future.
Author : Anindytia LPM SS
Editor : Anindya Cahya LPM SS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY