1,440 Tebu Seeds From Australia Enter South Papua, Quarantine Performs Supervision

The South Papua Quarantine appears to be watching the arrival of 1,440 sugarcane seeds packaged in 36 tubes from Australia in Merauke, Thursday (25/4). (ANTARA/HO/Karantina South Papua)

PAPUA SELATAN - Indonesian Quarantine Agency through South Papua Quarantine oversees the entry of sugarcane seeds from Australia through Mopah Airport, Merauke, South Papua. "A total of 1,440 sugarcane seeds packaged in 36 tubes arrived in Merauke, Thursday (April 25), using charter planes directly from Australia," said South Papua Quarantine Head Cahyono, Friday, April 26, as quoted by Antara. He explained that 1,440 sugarcane seeds that came were the first stage because they would enter again in May to June. The sugarcane seeds before being put into exile and observation (singmat) belonging to quarantine were first carried out by a series of actions in the form of administrative and physical examinations as well as laboratory tests to ensure the absence of symptoms of organisms that disrupt quarantine plants (OPTK). Cahyono said the requirements for imported seeds, namely, were equipped with a "Phytosanitary Certificate (PC)" from the country of origin, which was then reported and handed over to quarantine officers at the entry gate along with an income permit from the Minister of Agriculture. "The seeds are administratively equipped with PCs from Australia and SIP Minister of Agriculture," said Cahyono.

He added, after an examination, the seeds were taken to the Plant Quarantine Laboratory (KT) for sampling which was then carried out. Merauke, which is designated as a sugar cane food estate in South Papua, is one of the National Strategic Programs (PSN) as stated in Presidential Decree No. 40 of 2023 concerning the Acceleration of national sugar self-sufficiency and the provision of bioethenol as a vegetable fuel or Biofuel. "The Presidential Regulation targets an increase in sugarcane productivity by 93 tons/hectares through agricultural practices in the form of nursery, planting, plant maintenance and quarantine in South Papua to be ready to guard the entry of seeds from Australia through laboratory testing," said Cahyono.