The Acting Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu visited SEAMEO BIOTROP on 19 April 2022 to initiate collaboration in establishing the Agro Techno Park in OKU.  The Park will cover an area of 4.6 ha for Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism consisting of areas for plantation, fisheries, farming and agriculture. The Acting Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency and his entourage were welcomed by the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, scientists and managers in SEAMEO BIOTROP.

During the visit, the Acting Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency discussed the collaboration initiation with the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, which was aired through the BioSync Podcast of SEAMEO BIOTROP accessible on Youtube channel of SEAMEO BIOTROP, featuring Dr Supriyanto and Mr. Samsul A. Yani as resource persons. 

In his opening remarks, the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr Zulhamsyah Imran, presented the supporting resources and facilities of SEAMEO BIOTROP in relation to establishing the Agro Techno Park.  The Acting Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, Mr. H. Teddy Meilwansyah, S.STP., MM, MPd, shared the agricultural potency of the Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, consisting the commodities of rubber, oil palm, coffee, and just recently cardamom. “We do hope that we can collaborate with SEAMEO BIOTROP in implementing the best agricultural concept for increasing the economy of our regency”, said Mr. Teddy.

Dr Supriyanto explained that in order to develop an optimal Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism, we need to understand the 16 indicators and 45 parameters of the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism concept.  He also shared his avid support for OKU in developing the cardamom cultivation due to its many health benefit, among others for detoxicating the liver.

Mr. Samsul A. Yani shared his experiences on tissue culture covering the provision of quality seedlings, the requirements of special skills to produce quality seedlings and the provision of quality seaweed seedlings.

During the discussion SEAMEO BIOTROP shared the recommendations for developing the Agro Techno Park in OKU including the necessary accessible facilities, the prioritizing of potential plants, the knowledge on regulations for commercializing the Agro Techno Park.