Workshop on Biotech Potato for Indonesian Biosafety Commission Technical Team

A workshop on biotech potato for the Indonesian Biosafety Commission technical team, farmers, and agricultural officers was held on 24 September 2013 in Bogor, Indonesia. Topics on potato variety improvement through conventional breeding and biotechnology application for late blight resistant potato were discussed by Ir. Kusmana of Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute and speakers from ICABIOGRAD, respectively.

The results of a public perception survey on biotech potato which was recently conducted by IndoBIC in collaboration with ABSPII was also presented. The study concludes that farmers are willing to adopt a new seed if they are completely certain about the success. This requires the presence of demonstration plots near the local farmers if any of a new superior seed will be introduced.

Several recommendations regarding the adoption were raised by Ir. Dahri tanjung that include: a) dissemination of the biotech potato be conducted continuously prior to commercialization; b) demonstration plots need to be made at farmer level so the farmers could compare the new variety with conventional variety; c) farmer meetings need to be held where research results could be presented to farmers intensively; and d) provide incentives to farmers who buy a certain amount of certified potato seed.

For details, contact Dewi Suryani of IndoBIC at cattleyavanda@gmail.com.