Yogyakarta – Strengthening national food security is a strategic priority in Indonesia. Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) “Veteran” Yogyakarta continues to contribute to this effort by inaugurating Prof. Dr. Ir. Susila Herlambang, M.Si., as Professor of Land Resources in the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture. 

Prof. Susila becomes the 15th professor at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta. The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, was solemn and attended by members of the academic senate, university leaders, scholars, family members, partners, and public figures.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Susila presented a scientific oration titled “Management of Degraded Land with Biochar for Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Food Security.” The oration addressed the critical challenge of degraded land caused by intensive use, excessive application of chemical fertilizers, mining activities, and land conversion.

“Declining soil fertility directly affects agricultural productivity and can threaten national food security,” he stated.

Through his research, Prof. Susila proposed an innovative agricultural technology known as biochar—activated organic charcoal that serves as a temporary nutrient reservoir within its porous structure. For over a decade, he has been actively researching and developing biochar technology.

“The utilization of organic waste through the application of biochar, combined with additional nutrient sources, offers an alternative and strategic solution to restore land function, improve soil quality, and enhance soil fertility, thereby supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable national food security,” he explained.

Biochar, he noted, can restore the function of degraded soils such as coastal lands, post-mining sites, and marginal lands. With a focus on food security and sustainable agriculture, he has conducted biochar application studies on post-mining lands, coastal areas, and rice fields.

The results have been remarkable. Biochar has been proven to restore soil function and quality by increasing organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity, while supplying nutrients to plants. Ultimately, this innovation boosts crop yields and strengthens Indonesia’s food security.

Furthermore, biochar is environmentally friendly, as it is made from organic waste such as wood chips, twigs, coconut shells, oil palm fronds, corn cobs, rice husks, nut shells, bark, sawmill waste, as well as organic waste from household garbage and animal manure. The technology is simple, cost-effective, and accessible to farmers, with raw materials readily available.

“Biochar has significant potential to rehabilitate degraded land and improve soil quality, thereby supporting environmentally friendly national food security,” he affirmed. Born in Bantul on December 31, 1964, Prof. Susila expressed hope that biochar technology could be further developed to restore degraded land and improve soil quality, ultimately strengthening environmentally friendly national food security.

On this occasion, the Rector of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohamad Irhas Effendi, M.Si., congratulated Prof. Susila on achieving the highest academic rank.

“I hope Prof. Susila’s achievement as the 15th professor at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta will inspire the entire academic community to continue striving for excellence and pursue promotion to the rank of professor,” the Rector said.

The Rector added that Prof. Susila’s research and scientific oration have strategic significance, not only for the university but also in alignment with Indonesia’s National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025–2045. Specifically, his work supports the second pillar of Asta Cita, which emphasizes national self-sufficiency in food, energy, water, creative economy, green economy, and blue economy.

“Food security is vital for Indonesia. I hope Prof. Susila’s expertise will contribute to the sustainability and resilience of our nation’s food systems,” the Rector concluded.

Prof. Susila earned his bachelor’s degree from UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, his master’s degree from IPB University, and his doctoral degree from Gadjah Mada University. For over a decade, he has dedicated himself to advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security through the development of biochar technology.