Bangalore, Jan 25, 2007: A one-day symposium on ‘The Development of Agricultural Biotechnology: Recent Status on Research and Commercialization of Biotech/GM Crops’ will be held on February 7, 2007 at the Auditorium, Office of Ministry of Agriculture, Jakarta, Indonesia.

 

The event is co-organized by Indonesian Biotechnology Information Centre (IndoBIC), Office of IAARD Ministry of Agriculture The Republic of Indonesia, Asia Pacific Farmer Network (ASFARNET) Indonesia Chapter, Indonesian Society for Agricultural Biotechnology (PBPI), Indonesian Biotechnology Student Forum (IBSF), Croplife Indonesia and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).

 

The symposium is aimed to bring together policy makers, farmers, business personnel, journalists, scientists as well as general public. Participants would share their experience and expertise; steer discussion and debate on various aspects and issues related to agricultural biotechnology and its compatibility to agricultural development in particular on the food security. The symposium would enable participants to examine and analyze the mistakes done in the past in issues related to scientific developments, communication, and formulating policies.

 

The one-day symposium will cover the following topics: food security and the role of agricultural biotechnology; global status of commercialized Biotech/GM crops in 2006 by Mr Clive James, Chairman and Founder of ISAAA; history and developments of agriculture biotechnology R&D in Indonesia; the role of regulation on the development of agricultural biotechnology; the demand on biotechnology seedling: farmer’s perspective; biosafety framework: ASEAN perspective; farmers’ experience in growing biotech crops; and effective communication in promoting biotechnology.