Participants of the Inception Workshop

Bogor, 6 August 2024 – The Biogen Center for Testing Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Standards (BBPSI Biogen), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Agricultural Instrument Standardisation Agency (BSIP), hosted an Inception Workshop to launch the project “Crop Diversity Conservation for Sustainable Use in Indonesia (CDCSUI)”, also known as Crop-Bio. Held in Bogor on August 6-7, the workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the project to various stakeholders, discussing the work plan and implementation strategies to enhance the sustainable conservation and utilization of plant biodiversity in Indonesia.

The Crop-Bio project, supported by multilateral funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will be implemented in in three provinces, namely Central Java, Central Kalimantan, and North Maluku, encompassing a total of eight districts. It will focus on five main commodities: rice, cassava, taro, nutmeg, and cloves, both in the wild and in agricultural fields (in situ). This approach aims to enhance food security, environmental and farmer welfare through various supportive policy reinforcements and best practices performed by farmers and Masyarakat Adat in Indonesia.

 "With this project, we aim to address three critical issues: uncoordinated policy support, limited capacity for sustainable conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources, and restricted access to plant genetic materials and related information. By overcoming these challenges, we hope to ensure the sustainable conservation and utilization of target plants, provide a strong foundation for sustainable agricultural production, strengthen commodity supply chains, and improve the welfare of farmers and Masyarakat Adat in the project areas," said Arif Surahman, S.Pi, M.Sc., Ph.D., Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Instrument Standard Testing, Ministry of Agriculture; representing Prof. Dr. Ir. Fadjry Djufry, M.Si., Head of the Agricultural Instrument Standardization Agency (BSIP).

"I appreciate BSIP as the GEF Executing Agency and FAO as the GEF Implementing Agency. This collaboration is the key to the success of the GEF-7 project: Crop Diversity for Sustainable Use in Indonesia (CDCSUI). With the presence of this project, it is expected to realize the principles upheld by all GEF projects. In addition to having benefits for achieving the project's objectives, it is hoped to support the national development agenda, particularly in agriculture and biodiversity conservation; and the achievement of the global biodiversity goals in Kunming," said Ir. Laksmi Dhewanti, GEF Operational Focal Point in Indonesia and Director General of Climate Change, Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

"We are committed to creating a harmonious and inclusive cross-sectoral policy framework. This will ensure the sustainability of the target species and support the livelihoods and welfare of farmers, including women and Masyarakat Adat. This collaboration is a testament to our contribution towards achieving Indonesia's commitments to the Nagoya Protocol and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Targets, especially Target 10, 13, and 14, as well as our dedication to the Four Betters," stated Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Furthermore, the project will contribute to the goals of the Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP), currently undergoing refinement, and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN 2025–2029). It will particularly focus on enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural commodities and genetic resources, with an emphasis on traditional knowledge and skills, and the capacity building of stakeholders at all levels.

FAO endorses multi-sectoral collaborative initiatives aimed at making significant impacts on biodiversity conservation and enhancing the welfare of local communities, including farmers and local community groups within the project areas. By prioritizing four key aspects—better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life—FAO aspires for this project to not only safeguard the environment but also deliver sustainable benefits to all communities, ensuring inclusivity leaving no one behind.