IPB to Launch Seed Center
Bogor, (ANTARA News) – The Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) announced that it will soon launch a Seed Center to meet the need for agricultural seeds nationally.
The Seed Center is to produce prime seeds with the help of agricultural experts in Indonesia, said IPB Rector Prof Dr Herry Suhardiyanto, in Bogor, Saturday (25/6).
According to him during the socialization of Seed Center as IPB International Convention Center, the development of the Center is to boost the national agricultural progress which has so far been faced with the problem of seed supply.
"The Seed Center will become a place for agricultural experts in Indonesia to develop new varieties of seeds which can increase our agricultural commodity production," he said.
According to the IPB rector, Indonesia is still to import seeds so far. The condition is made worse because of the absence of the research findings by experts, which can be applied widely by the general public.
Through the Seed Center, the studies and the findings by agricultural experts will be developed and applied widely to the general public particularly farmers.
The Seed Center is established in cooperation with a number of agricultural faculties throughout Indonesia.
The center will develop and produce not only agricultural seeds but also high quality seeds for plantations, animal husbandry and fishery, said Vice Rector of Research and Cooperation Dr Anas Miftah Fauzi.
The Seed Center will be located at Leuwikopo, Dramaga, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, he said.
The Seed Center was socialized in front of a number of agricultural experts of seeds from a number of universities in Indonesia and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Seed Association of Indonesia.
The socialization was made the birthday celebration of IPB Professor in the field of seed Prof. Sjamsoe`oed Sadjad.
According to Sadjad, the presence of Seed Center is very important for the development of national agriculture.
"So far, Indonesia’s agriculture is still traditional in nature, and this makes the world of agriculture unattractive to the younger generation," he said.
In fact, the role of agriculture is very important in ensuring the food supply for human survival.
“The Seed Center will not only provide new varieties but also reproduce can be developed varieties for farmers to develop," he said.
According to him, agriculture in Indonesia is still left behind other countries.
Farmers are only able to produce agricultural raw materials. As long as farmers still produce only raw materials, agriculture will not grow.
Such a farming stigma needs to be changed; farmers should be able to produce derivatives of agricultural products, that is, through the use of superior seeds resulting from the development of varieties.
He said, it is such condition that encourages young people to have low interest in farming because they see it from their farm families they live poorly.
The Seed Center is expected to supply more varieties of seeds and encourage famers to more independent and qualified.
The Seed Center has the vision to produce high quality seeds," he said (Mtd)
