SEAMEO BIOTROP’s mission is to provide scientific knowledge and build capacities of institutions and communities in conserving and managing tropical biology sustainably for the well-being of communities and the environment of Southeast Asia.  In realizing the mission, SEAMEO BIOTROP has been disseminating knowledge and information on tropical biology through displays of research results.

In 2008, SEAMEO BIOTROP built a Bogor Science Park consisting of interactive dioramas of laboratories in SEAMEO BIOTROP, of Bogor City and its activities, of earth and space as well as dioramas of anthropogenic activities affecting climate change.  In 2015 SEAMEO BIOTROP launched its Knowledge and Technology One Stop Shop which was a showcase of all products and technologies developed by the Centre.  In 2016 SEAMEO BIOTROP was launched as Community Learning Park to accommodate the general public in learning about tropical biology in supporting Bogor as a Science City.  Since 2018, SEAMEO BIOTROP has been conducting a SMARTS-BE program, which is a School Fruit Garden for Education, Production, Genetic Conservation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Vocational Senior High School in Indonesia.  This program is aimed to elevate the competencies of agricultural vocational schools’ teachers and students in cultivating fruits and vegetables, establishing teaching factories for processing the harvested fruits and vegetables and marketing the derivative products of the harvested fruits and vegetables.  Currently, the program is participated by 37 vocational schools from 19 provinces in Indonesia. The program has also provided a total of 10 training and technical guidance activities participated by 305 vocational schools and 818 teachers.

Based on the enthusiastic responses from vocational schools and the general public toward the SMARTS-BE program, SEAMEO BIOTROP is planning to elevate the program into an Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program for supporting education on biodiversity conservation. Development of the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program by SEAMEO BIOTROP  is in line with the Integrated Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (MoECRT) for supporting the 7 SEAMEO Priority Areas, the Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Intergovernmental of Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity.  The Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program developed by SEAMEO BIOTROP is among the realizations of the Center’s vision of “A Leading Centre in enriching and promoting the real values of tropical biology in Southeast Asia” and tagline “Save Tropical Biodiversity from Mountain to Ocean” as one of the solutions in dealing with global climate change. The program will become a model for establishing Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region.

In initiating the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program, SEAMEO BIOTROP held a “Workshop on Developing Multi-Stakeholders Collaboration on SEAMEO BIOTROP Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism Program in Supporting Education for Biodiversity Conservation” on 25 May 2022, participated by the Secretary of Southern Bogor Subdistrict, Head of Pakuan Village, the Head of Regional Planning Agency of Bogor City, the Board of Directors, managers, scientists and staff of SEAMEO BIOTROP and the Acting Head of the Bureau of Cooperation and Public Relations of the MoECRT.

In his welcome remarks, Dr Zulhamsyah Imran, the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP shared his enthusiastic presentation that the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program of SEAMEO BIOTROP will reach every segment of the general public by providing education on biodiversity conservation, tropical biology, cultivation techniques for highly productive fruits and vegetables in urban farming, processing the harvested fruits and vegetables and marketing of the processed agricultural products.

The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Anang Ristanto, SE, MA, the Acting Head of the Bureau of Cooperation and Public Relations of MoECRT, who shared his appreciation for SEAMEO BIOTROP’s continuous support toward the MoECRT with the Center’s innovative and applicable programs. (sis/hcn).