Transgenic plantation in South Sulawesi

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Bantaeng regent Azikin Solthan said on Sunday that the local administration will continue developing transgenic cotton plantation in a bid to achieve maximum quality crops.

"So far there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the (transgenic) process will harm nature," Azikin said.

Even Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bungaran Saragih has yet to issue any order to stop the process, the regent added.

"So as long as it is done for public benefit, we will proceed," he said, adding that cotton farmers using transgenic plantation method received an average of three tons of cotton per hectare from a previous crop of only 750 kilogram per hectare.

"The farmer can get an additional Rp 2.5 million to Rp 3 million per hectare through this system," he added. (27/edt)