BOGOR - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) invites researchers from various parts of the world to strengthen global banana breeding research in the Second Annual Meeting of the Banana Breeding Research Program held in Bogor, Monday, February 9.
BRIN Head Arif Satria said the meeting entitled Collection, Characterization and Pre-breeding Wild Bananas was a concrete example of how global partnerships can answer global challenges, especially in the development of bananas as a strategic commodity in the world.
"At the national level, we are proud to have BRIN as a core partner in this project. BRIN brings together researchers with extensive expertise in biology, genetics, and banana breeding, as well as in-depth knowledge of the diversity of Indonesian wild bananas," said Arif through a written statement in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, February 9.
Arif emphasized that Indonesia is recognized as one of the world's origin and diversity centers for bananas.
Indonesia has a total of 16 subspecies of wild banana species that are valuable genetic reserves.
According to him, the genetic wealth holds great potential, ranging from disease resistance to the ability to adapt to environmental changes, which are very needed in the banana breeding program in the future.
"These genetic resources are the foundation of our scientific efforts," said Arif.
In this second annual meeting, BRIN also inaugurated the Banana Innovation, Network, Database (BIND) Center as a global collaboration center for banana research and development.
Arif explained that the innovations produced through the exploration, characterization, and pre-cultivation of wild bananas, as well as collaboration in international networks, will be integrated into a database called INA-BAN. This database is expected to become an important reference in the formulation of banana breeding policies in the future.
"Through the BIND Center, we hope to create a lasting program that continues beyond the life of this project. This program will support long-term breeding strategies, strengthen international partnerships, and position Indonesia as a major contributor to global banana research," said Arif.
This meeting was attended by researchers from BRIN, IPB University, and Padjadjaran University as the main collaboration partners from within the country. Meanwhile, from abroad, researchers from the University of Queensland (Australia), Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), Meise Botanic Gardens and Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT (Belgium), Institute of Experimental Botany (Czech Republic), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (Nigeria), and other international partners.
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