The discoverer of Calaya Papaya Seed from IPB University Receives Lifetime Achievement

IPB University together with the Indonesian Breeding Association (Peripi) and PT East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) or known as the “CAP PANAH MERAH” gave awards to six of Indonesia’s best Food Breeders and Horticultural Breeders. The awards were given along with the National Seminar & Indonesian Breeder Award 2019 at IPB International Convention Center (IICC), Bogor (10/10).

This award is one of the highest forms of appreciation for plant breeders who have dedicated their lives to assembling new superior varieties that have an impact on improving the quality and quality of Indonesian agricultural products.

The Chancellor of IPB University, Dr. Arif Satria accompanied by the Director of EWINDO, Glenn Pardede, Chairman of Peripi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Syukur gave the awards to the six breeders namely Yudhistira Nugraha, SP MS, Darmin, Prof. Dr. Suwarto, Sumanah, Ir Fatkhu Rohman, MS and Ir Rebin.

In his remarks, Dr. Arif emphasized the strategic role of breeders in developing superior varieties. Seed innovation is the key to sustainable agricultural development. “Seed as a related component has the biggest impact in providing food and horticultural seeds for Indonesia and the world,” he said.

The same thing was also conveyed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Syukur. According to him the government’s attention to plant breeders or breeders is not much. Though seeds are the main factor of cultivation activities and efforts to increase production yields.

In addition to the six best breeders in the field of food and horticulture, on the same occasion a lifetime achievement award was given to Prof. Dr. Ir Sriani Sujiprihati, MS for his dedication to Calina papaya plant breeding, Prof. (Emeritus) Dr. Ir Sjamsoe’oed Sadjad for his dedication to developing seeds in Indonesia, Prof. (R) Darman M Arsyad for the dedication of soybean breeding and Mulyono Herlambang for his persistence in developing superior varieties of vegetables and knowledge transfer activities carried out.

Meanwhile, the seminar and discussion entitled “The Role of Superior Variety Seeds as a Solution to Realizing Sustainable Agriculture” gathered ideas among stakeholders. The aim is to increase consolidation and opportunities for collaboration between stakeholders including lecturers, research centers, the private sector and the community in the provision of high quality seeds.

Superior seeds are one of the production facilities that play an important role in increasing production, quality and quality standards of food crops and horticulture products. Seed becomes one of the key components in achieving the realization of Indonesia as a world food barn in 2045.

Therefore, the discovery of new high yielding varieties, seed quality development, distribution and supervision and control are the basic frameworks for building seed sovereignty in Indonesia. Research and development of seeds supported by technology 4.0 need to be encouraged to respond to the challenges above, not only that collaboration needs to be strengthened so that the resolution of the problem of food production and horticulture becomes more comprehensive. (RYS)

Keyword: Superior seeds, Plant Breeders, Awards, lifetime achievement, IPB University