A Workshop on Sustainable Modern Agriculture for government officials of Gorontalo was concluded in Gorontalo, Indonesia on 28 February 2011. Prominent speakers include Prof. Dr. Andi Trisyono of Universitas Gadjah Mada and Dr. Herman of ICABIOGRAD. In his welcome address, the Governor of Gorontalo, Dr. Ir. H. Gusnar Ismail, MM, fully supported the implementation of biotechnology in particular for Gorontalo. Furthermore, he said that "Gorontalo is ready to be a place for development of biotechnology products in Indonesia since the products can be possible alternatives to help solve many challenges of conventional breeding techniques and Gorontalo is the only one exporter of maize from Indonesia. Moreover, biotechnology has grown rapidly as a technology for solving human problems (food, health and environment). It is not free from many risks, however with high precision, the impacts could be measurable in order not to harm humans."

Prof. Dr. Andi Trisyono discussed environmental risk analysis of transgenic crops: Bt corn. According to him, some challenges such as productivity can be improved through a new, more productive, and efficient production technology. Furthermore, he also emphasized that there are several main issues must be addressed regarding biotechnology implementation, this include gene transfer, effect on non target insects, potential to become weeds and pest resistance. Hence scientific evidence such as knowing what to declare, baseline susceptibility, and diagnostic tools and also understanding “the language” of transgenic corn are the needs to be considered when dealing with biotechnology products.

This is the second workshop for agricultural officials, Badan Pusat Informasi Jagung (BPIJ) and Indonesian Society for Agricultural Biotechnology (PBPI) and supported by SEAMEO BIOTROP, CropLife Indonesia and ISAAA in order to build biotech knowledge of stakeholders especially government officials and media and to accelerate biotech acceptance in Indonesia. Some 200 participants of agricultural officials, universities, agricultural stakeholders in Gorontalo and media participated in this event.

Governor of Gorontalo, Dr. Ir. H. Gusnar Ismail, MM. welcoming the participant of biotech workshop in Gorontalo. (DS)