Farmers Are Waiting, The First Biotechnology Corn With Double Advantages In Indonesia Is Starting To Be Marketed

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - PT Syngenta Indonesia today launched and is starting to market NK Sakti Warriors, the first biotechnology corn in Indonesia which has a double advantage. The variety that this farmer has been waiting for is tolerant of Herbisida Gliposat and is at the same time resistant to Batang Pengerek Ulat (Asian Corn Borer/Ostrinia furnacealis).

With these double advantages, farmers get three benefits at once. First, EASY in caring for plants from Gulma and Attack Hama Pengerek Batang. Second, CHEAP IN farm business costs, because fewer use of pesticides and also labor costs. Third, increasing the RESULTs due to loss of the results of the nutritional competition between weeds and corn as well as damage to and decreased yields due to the attack of stem dredgers can be avoided simultaneously.

Present at the event, Lamongan Regent Dr. H. Yuhronur Efendi, MBA along with MUSPIKA ranks, ranks of the Directorate of Food Crops Development, Center for Agricultural Protection and Licensing, Environmental Security Technical Team, Representatives of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency, Head of the Food Crops Division of East Java Province, Denny Kurniawan SP, MM, Head of the Agriculture Service of Lamongan Regency Drs. Moch. Wahyudi, MM, Member of the Lamongan DPRD Imam Fadli, SIP., M.Si, General Chairperson of Mainstay Farmers and Fishermen (KTNA) Ir. HM Yadi Sofyan Noor, SH, Chairman of the Indonesian Corn Farmers Association (APJI) H Sholahuddin, Caretaker of Sunan Drajat Lamongan Islamic Boarding School Prof. Dr. KH. Abdul Ghofur, as well as invitees and farmers.

The Director of Planting at the Ministry of Agriculture's Food, Yudi Sastro, in his remarks emphasized that superior quality seeds are the main component in the cultivation of plants that actually contribute quite dominantly in increasing plant production and productivity.

"The Ministry of Agriculture targets corn production in 2024 to reach 16.56 million tons or an increase when compared to 2023, which is around 14.46 million tons or the equivalent of 1.15%. To support the increase in production, the Government supports the development of new superior corn varieties," said Yudi, in his statement, Tuesday, February 27.

He added that the use of biotechnology seeds is able to increase agricultural production and reduce costs in plant cultivation.

Since 2021 until now, the Ministry of Agriculture has released 8 varieties of biotechnology hybrid corn that have passed a series of food, feed and environmental security certifications so that the safety of these products can be ensured.

Yudi explained that biotechnology hybrid corn has production potential ranging from 10.6 - 14.04 tons / ha. This variety is expected to be able to increase production by achieving potential crop yields, plants that are resistant to pests and adaptive to the climate in Indonesia.

On the other hand, Yudi continued, the seed industry has a significant role in the provision and distribution of superior quality varieties.

With the launch of NK Pendakar Sakti's newest biotechnology hybrid corn product, Yudi hopes to have a real impact on increasing corn production so as to support the achievement of corn self-sufficiency through the use of superior hybrid corn seeds by farmers in Indonesia.

In addition to grand launching in Lamongan Regency, on February 29, 2024, Syngenta also held a similar activity in Grobogan Regency, Central Java.

"Syngenta Indonesia supports the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through the Ministry of Agriculture by trying to ensure food independence, rural welfare and labor efficiency in agriculture. We are pleased to play a role in introducing biotechnology corn seeds," said President Director of Syngenta Indonesia Kazim Hasnain during the Grand Launching of Biotechnology Corn Seeds in Lamongan.

Meanwhile, Fauzi Tubat, Seed Business Head of Synenta Indonesia explained that Syngenta Indonesia has been producing quality seeds for more than 20 years and helping farmers in Indonesia face various challenges and continue to carry out sustainable innovations in providing the best solution, including in the provision of quality seeds.

Fauzi further explained that Indonesia's population is estimated to reach 318 million by 2045. The need for feed to produce animal protein will increase. To meet this need, it takes around 62 million tons of corn per year. Corn production is targeted to reach 70 million tons so that it is hoped that there will be a surplus of 8 million tons for export.

To achieve this amount, the minimum harvest area of national maize production must reach 7-8 tons per hectare. At that time, the value of money circulating in this industry is estimated to reach IDR 350 trillion.

The corn industry has enormous potential for sustainable growth. However, on the other hand, there are also many challenges that must be faced, such as land conversion, fertilizer availability, disease threats and climate change. Biotechnology is one of the keys to answering challenges as well as being a way to achieve this great potential," said Fauzi.

The potential increase in yields from biotechnology corn with a double advantage is around 10 percent compared to non- biotechnology seeds. With the current price of corn flats which are quite high, this result is quite significant for farmers.

NK Warrior Sakti's superior corn seeds are the answer that has been expected by farmers. The reason is, this seed will further increase the profit earned by farmers. This biotechnology corn makes it very easier for farmers to grow crops and the cost is cheaper.

Chairman of the Indonesian Corn Farmers Association (APJI) Sholahudin said he had been waiting for the arrival of the NK Sakti Warrior corn seed to be launched for a long time.

"We have been waiting for almost 20 years for the presence of this superior seed," he said.

Munip farmers from Tuban, East Java said that when corn plants are generally attacked by caterpillars, it will be very difficult to eradicate them, because the caterpillars are in corn. But when the seeds have been resistant to caterpillars from the start, automottically the cost of tackling pest attacks can be reduced because they do not need to spray and of course save time and cost. The yield of the NK Sakti Warrior is also very pleasant with a good and bright corn color with a full tube in each of its barrels.

We have made calculations and we believe the cost of growing new maize varieties with double advantages is definitely cheaper. We are really happy and hope to be able to quickly plant this corn on a wider area," he said.