(from left) The Vice Rector III of Unida Gontor, Dr. Khoirul Umam, M.Ec., The Rector of Unida Gontor, Prof. Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi, M.A., M.Phil., The Rector of ITS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Ashari, M.Eng., IPU, and The Vice Rector IV of ITS, Bambang Pramujati, S.T., M.Sc.Eng., Ph.D. during the signing of MoU at ITS Rectorate Building

ITS Campus News – In order to improve food commodities, especially on corn varieties, Biology Department of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) and Universitas Darussalam (Unida) Gontor were making collaboration to produce superior hybrid corn seeds. Located at ITS Rectorate Building, ITS and Unida signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tuesday (23/8).

In a joint discussion, lecturer from Biology Department ITS, Mukhammad Muryono, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. as the initiator of this collaboration with Unida Gontor said, ITS and Unida Gontor discussed several topics related to increase corn production. For example, the provision of hybrid corn seeds to support independent seed in Ponorogo.

According to Muryono, in this case, ITS acts as a seed innovation developer based on biotechnological science. “Unida Gontor has prepared a land and wanted to share knowledge related to biotechnology in agriculture,” he said.

Token of appreciation from ITS to Unida Gontor after signing the MoU

Furthermore, Muryono explained that terrestrial mapping technology would also be carried out to monitor and evaluate plant health levels. By doing this, the result of this product will be able to adapt to the environment where the seeds are planted. “The seed entitled REOG234 is expected to be able to produce abundant harvests, good seed color, and sturdy plants,” he explained.

In the future, research and development of new varieties will be carried out so that this corn can survive all climate changes. Muryono added that innovation activities would continue to be carried out for other food varieties in order to increase food production.

The atmosphere of the discussion between ITS and Unida Gontor before signing of the MoU at ITS Rectorate Building

On the same occasion, The Rector of ITS, Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari, M.Eng., IPU, A.Eng. said that the seed product entitled REOG234 is expected to be developed into a startup activity as a strategy in building a corn seed industry and the animal feed industry.

Finally, The Rector of Unida Gontor, Prof. Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi, M.A., M.Phil. hopes that REOG234 can be very potential for agro-tourism and creative industries in Ponorogo. “The name of this product is REOG234 because reog describes the unique culture of the Ponorogo area,” he concluded. (ITS PR)