Fourth Biotech Workshop for Farmers in Indonesia

KTNA (National Outstanding Farmer and Fisherman Association) of Makassar responds positively to the development of biotechnology in Indonesia. This was concluded in a biotech workshop on "Sustainable Modern Agriculture" which was held in Makassar, 19 – 20 January 2010. This is the fourth roadshow of biotech workshops organized by IndoBIC and KTNA after previous events in Kediri, Lampung, and Surabaya to build biotech knowledge of stakeholders especially farmers, government agencies, and media, thereby accelerating biotech acceptance in Indonesia.

Dr. Muhammad Azrai , a researcher from the Indonesian Cereal Research Institute, shared his knowledge and experience on agricultural biotechnology. He considers biotechnology as a shortcut to create an improved variety that eliminates the limitations faced by traditional breeding techniques. Furthermore, he emphasized that this technology has been adopted in many industrialized countries particularly in the USA, Western Europe and several developing countries including Philippines, India and South Africa.

In addition, Ir. Winarno Tohir, head of the KTNA in a teleconference said that KTNA should conduct a national conference in order to obtain many useful recommendations for farmers regarding biotechnology product utilization. "We need to establish collaboration with local agricultural organizations to help farmers decide on their planting options. He also cited the "Seeing is believing" as an activity needed by the farmers to see successes in the adoption of biotechnology. This event was participated by 30 farmer members of KTNA  from 12 regencies in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

For further information on this event email Dewi Suryani of the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center at  dewisuryani@biotrop.org.