Biotech Workshop on Sustainable Modern Agriculture in Indonesia

The KTNA (National Outstanding Farmer and Fisherman Association) of Indonesia recently concluded a biotech workshop on the theme "Sustainable Modern Agriculture" in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The workshop was conducted to build biotech knowledge of stakeholders especially farmers, government agencies, and media in accelerating biotech acceptance in Indonesia.

Dr. Aris Winaya of Indonesian Biotechnology Consortium (KBI) said that "biotechnology development is a possible alternative to help solve many challenges of conventional breeding techniques. Biotechnology has grown rapidly as a technology for solving human problems (food, health and environment). As a technology, biotech is not free from many risks, however with high precision, the impacts could be measurable in order not to harm humans." Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Ir. Erizal of LP3M Rahmatan Lil Alamin said that "in almost every case, farmers and growers are the primary stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Farmers should also be free to make decisions. Other stakeholders play a role only as a facilitator, which provides the correct information, so that farmers can be able to make the right decisions".

The workshop was organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC), KTNA, and Indonesian Society for Agricultural Biotechnology (PBPI) and supported by SEAMEO BIOTROP, CropLife Indonesia and ISAAA. Tthe event was participated in by 46 farmers, members of associations, and grain councils.

For more information, contact Dewi Suryani of IndoBIC at dewisuryani@biotrop.org.