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Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan during the Phase 2 development visit at the Herbal and Horticulture Science and Technology Park (TSTH), Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), Friday (12/07/2024), (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan carried out a Phase 2 development visit at the Herbal and Horticulture Science and Technology Park (TSTH), Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), Friday (12/07/2024).

In this review, Coordinating Minister Luhut is optimistic that Indonesian agriculture will have good quality seeds because it applies genomic technology (genetic engineering).

"Frankly, I couldn't have imagined that today we would be at this point, especially regarding this genomic, indeed this genomic would later be able to represent all regions in Indonesia and this could later become our center. "Therefore, later our agriculture will have good quality seeds because of the application of genomics," said Coordinating Minister Luhut at the location.

Regarding agricultural seeds themselves, Coordinating Minister Luhut explained that he had discussed at the Limited Meeting (ratas) regarding the addition of agricultural seeds, such as the addition of cocoa seeds, of which there are currently only around 2 million seeds.

"Yesterday at the meeting in Jakarta, we were preparing to replant oil palms, and I suggested that research data should be activated. Well, the BPDPKS (Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency) has funds of around 52 T for the oil palm replanting program, and at the same time I'm including cocoa. Cocoa needs 800 million seeds, we only have 2 million seeds. "So it can be programmed genomically here," he said.

"I'm really really happy because we can start, with the time sequence being finished, maybe in January, with the landscape in February. "So maybe the President-elect can inaugurate this place in March, and there will also be genomic results that can be reported to the President-elect," he added.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (12/07/24), during this meeting, a number of agreements were also implemented, namely the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the Del Institute regarding the use of the BMN Herbal and Horticulture Science and Technology Park, then the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT Mars Symbio-science Indonesia and Asia-beef Biofarm Indonesia with IT Del regarding Research, Education and Community Services, as well as an MoU between Symbioscience Indonesia and IT Del regarding Cocoa Productivity Research and Transfer of Technology.

"I am happy that in the future we hope that everyone can collaborate with various universities and I think this will create a game changer for Indonesia in the agricultural sector and other fields, for example the garlic that we have been importing all this time, now we can do genomics and make it here. "Hopefully that will happen because many Indonesian children are smart," he said.

"The construction of TSTH2 is underway and I thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), the Directorate General of Human Settlements, BPPW North Sumatra, PT Nindya Karya, and PT Vitrama Karya who have made great efforts to accelerate the construction of TSTH2 Phase 2. ," added Coordinating Minister Luhut.

He said he would report to President Jokowi on Monday regarding this visit, so it is hoped that in August, President Jokowi will be able to participate in the onion harvest.

“So I hope that over the next 2-3 months, everything will be settled. "So when the president comes here, it looks like it really is a classy research center," he concluded.

Adding to Coordinating Minister Luhut, Humbang Hasundutan Regent Dosmar Banjarnahor said that his party continues to support and coordinate with related parties so that the construction of TSTH2 can be completed according to the expected time limit.

"This has been a long process, we continue to support and coordinate with all parties so that development runs well. "Hopefully this event will go well until it is finished and all construction will run smoothly in accordance with our common goals," concluded Regent Dosmar//VOI