Sang Hyang Seri: Genetic strength can bolster seed independence
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Director of PT Sang Hyang Seri (Persero) Adhi Cahyono Nugroho has said that by mastering genetics, Indonesia can develop varieties better suited to the climate, environment, and national food needs, because future challenges cannot be met by fertiliser or mechanisation alone.
“Seed is the foundation of food sovereignty. If we want to build food independence, then we must first ensure national seed independence,” he said while speaking at the national webinar “Strengthening Seed Independence from the Perspective of Seed Entrepreneurs” organised by the Coordinating Ministry for Food and attended in Jakarta on Monday.
According to him, Indonesia’s food independence begins with something simple: seed. Seed is the starting point of food production and determines farmers’ ability to produce crops that are productive, adaptive, and suited to Indonesian conditions.
Adhi said that future agricultural challenges cannot be adequately addressed only with fertiliser or mechanisation. The level of mastery that will increasingly determine the future of agriculture is genetics.
He continued that by mastering genetics, Indonesia can develop varieties that are more suited to the climate, environment, and national food needs.
Indonesia has substantial capital for this. As a tropical country with high biodiversity and a large domestic market, Indonesia has comparative advantages that can be turned into competitive advantages.
Rather than merely being a user of foreign varieties and technology, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a force in tropical genetics development.
In line with this, PT Sang Hyang Seri (SHS) is preparing a transformation from a seed company into a tropical genetics company.
This transformation does not stop at research, but is directed so that the results of genetic development can become commercialised products that benefit farmers, industry, and society.
“We are not only talking about research. We are talking about how genetics can become something that can be commercialised and provide real benefits. SHS is ready to become the driving force behind the national genetics initiative,” he said.
SHS has the foundation to carry out this role, with 42 seed management units and around 3,200 hectares of Sukamandi land dedicated to seed production.
In addition, SHS continues to carry out its strategic function in supporting the National Seed Reserve.
For SHS, strengthening genetics is ultimately not merely a business agenda.
It is part of efforts to ensure farmers have better seed, the public has sustainable food, and Indonesia has stronger bargaining power in determining its own food future.
Through the transformation into a tropical genetics company, SHS is ready to play a role in turning Indonesia’s tropical wealth into genetic strength and innovation for the future of national food.