Transgenic plantation in South Sulawesi

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)