Biotechnology is an alternative solution to meet food needs in Indonesia

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PASURUAN -- Biotechnology products that utilize genetic engineering can be an alternative solution to meet food needs that continue to increase from time to time due to population growth. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology (SEAMEO Biotrop) views that superior and quality seeds resulting from genetic engineering are urgently needed by farmers in Indonesia. "The use of biotechnology seeds can increase agricultural production and reduce operational costs," said Director of SEAMEO Biotrop Zulhamsyah Imran in Pasuruan, East Java. Zulham said, biotechnology products must prioritize food safety, environmental safety, and health security considering that agricultural products from genetic engineering are not only consumed by the Indonesian population, but also the world's population. He hopes that factories that produce biotechnology seeds can develop rapidly, so they can meet farmers' needs for pest-resistant and climate-adaptive crops in Indonesia. ...