Some 27 participants from national and local media, farmers and members of the Biosafety Commission participated in a three-day visit to corn and sugarcane research stations and farms. The event jointly organized by Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC), NOFA, and CropLife Indonesia aimed to provide an overview of the corn and sugarcane seed industry in Indonesia. The participants visited Syngenta seed plant in Pasuruan and had interactions with farmers in their corn fields in Probolinggo and Jember.

Participants also discussed with Mr. Winarno Tohir, chairman of National Outstanding of Farmers Association (NOFA) and Mr. Arum Sabil, chairman of Sugarcane Farmers Association (APTRI) in Jember about the challenges of sugar self-sufficiency and the role of technology in agriculture. Furthermore, Prof. Agus Pakpahan, the chairman of Indonesia Biosafety Commission discussed the need for the latest technology for farmers in order to attain food sovereignty.

Discussions with farmers and media in PTPN XI Research station were focused on agriculture biotechnology and its applications in obtaining higher crop yield and control of pests and diseases especially in sugarcane. 

For details of this visit, contact Dewi Suryani of IndoBIC at catleyavanda@gmail.com.