Agronomists to hold congress

Agronomists to hold congress

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Agronomists will
hold its sixth annual congress and national symposium here later
this month.

The association's chairwoman, Justika S. Baharsjah, said
yesterday that the congress will bring together scientists,
experts and enthusiasts to exchange information on agronomy and
other related fields.

The congress and symposium will be held from June 25 to June
27 at the Sahid Jaya Hotel, after being officially opened by
President Soeharto at the State Palace.

About 450 participants from across the country are expected to
join the event. The participants will consist of university
professors, researchers, business people and government
officials.

Justika said the congress and symposium will consist of a
seminar, exhibition and discussions and will present noted
speakers such as Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah,
Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita
and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Aburizal Bakrie.

Justika, who is the wife of minister Sjarifudin, said the
congress is also expected to harmonize the perception of
agronomists so they can better develop the agricultural sector.

In the past, the association conducted various programs,
including helping the government in a national water-saving
campaign.

The association is also participating in a giant rice estate
project in Central Kalimantan to convert one million hectares of
peat land into rice estates and to help farmers develop special
food crop varieties that are immune to various diseases. (pwn)