Biotech Updates

Seminar on Socio-Economic Considerations on Agri-biotech Concludes in Bogor, Indonesia

September 3, 2014

A seminar on socio-economic considerations of agricultural biotechnology was held at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) on August 27, 2014. This event brought together 60 participants from universities, industries, and tri-media to raise awareness on the socio economic consideration of biotechnology in Indonesia based on the Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity.

Among the featured speaker was Prof. Dr. Bustanul Arifin of Intercafe IPB, who discussed the role of biotechnology in Indonesia's agricultural development. He also emphasized the need to develop new innovation system and support technological change to improve the productivity and efficiency in agriculture. Dr. Leonardo Gonzales, chairman of STRIVE Foundation, Philippines, highlighted the socio-economic considerations under the Cartagena Protocol and the socio-economic benefit of genetically modified crops.

Other speakers include Dr. Arief Daryanto represented by Dr. Harianto, Special Advisor to the President for Food and Energy and Prof. Dr. Agus Pakpahan of the Ministry of Agriculture. In closing remarks, Dr. Bayu Krisnamurthi, the Vice Minister of Trade said that biotechnology application is a must in Indonesia due to the country's needs for food and to reduce the importation of food products. The event was conducted in collaboration with Agricultural Economic Association of Indonesia (Perhepi), International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS), Management and Business School of IPB, Monsanto Indonesia, and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

For details, contact Dewi Suryani of Indonesia BIC at catleyavanda@gmail.com.