What use of research if it is not being disseminated and applied for better purposes? Currently, TJF is conducting a carbon balance research that measures carbon sequestration and emission in the coconut plantation situated in the peatland area. With this research, we strive to contribute to improved sustainable agriculture practice on peatland.
A scientific conference is one opportunity for researchers to present the latest research findings and describe the emerging innovation, especially to the science community. On 7-8 September 2020, we gladly participated in the International Conference on Science and Technology 2020 (ICST 2020), held as part of the Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Annual Scientific Conferences series. Due to the Covid-19 situation, ICST 2020 was held virtually to limit and slow the spread.
On day one, the conference was opened with a presentation from Prof. Keisuke Ohto of Saga University, Japan. He presented research with the title ‘Extraction Behavior of Trivalent Rare Earth Metal Ions with Diphosphonic Acid Type Extraction Reagent.’ Nearly 200 presenters became participants in this conference. The conference continued with a parallel session that is categorized into six symposia. This year, ICST has:
1. Computer and Information Technology Symposium
2. Electronics, Power, Communication, Control, and Instrumentation Symposium
3. Geoscience and Environmental Management Symposium
4. Life Sciences, Materials, and Applied Chemistry Symposium
5. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Symposium
6. Remote Sensing and Geomatics Symposium
We submitted our research to Geoscience and Environmental Management Symposium, which includes topics such as: environmental management; disaster risk reduction; land, water, and natural resources; geo-maritime; human and natural resources; urban and rural resources; and land use management.
In the given time slot, we presented our initial findings of the research. Our study highlights the needed practice to minimize carbon emission in peatland agriculture, where we use the study area of Pulau Burung District in Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau. We underline the relationship between managing, not draining, water resources in peatland agriculture, and lowered subsidence and emission. Within integrated water management, the canal functions as water storage, not for draining. With the existence of water and a desirable water table without drain peatland, peat oxidation also low that made low subsidence and carbon emission.
On the last day, the conference started with a presentation from Prof. Josaphat Tetuko Sri Sumantyo about radar applications for environmental monitoring. Similar to day one, the parallel session on this day continued until evening. The end of the conference was a ceremony to acknowledge the participants’ contributions. Needless to say, even after the conference, there is a need to continue with the dissemination of the result.
