Needs, opportunities and challenges for crop improvement in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Indonesia is one of the countries with mega diversity. However, challenges in varietal improvement might affect the national agricultural development in Indonesia. This article discusses the need for improved crops, opportunities, challenges for crop improvement and addresses strategic crops improvement by applying advanced biotechnology in Indonesia. A growing population demands increased food supply. Thus, food self-sufficiency is a strategic agricultural development program due to its broad impact. The supply of fibre, feed, and fuel is also necessary for industrial development. At present, changes in land quality and climate influence agricultural productivity, especially crop productivity and quality. Therefore, crop genetic improvement significantly contributes to increase their production. The emerging biotechnological approaches, particularly new breeding techniques involving diverse genetic resources from Indonesia, would rapidly expand the gene pool for plant improvement. Moreover, accessible information technologies along with exchanges of genetic resources through the multilateral system, offer a new direction and partnership for advanced research. However, inadequate human resources, infrastructure, low investment in long-term research and lack of collaboration and coordination among research organizations can hinder the crop improvement. Additionally, genetic erosion and genetic resources management remain a concern. As strategies to engineer crop improvement, many approaches have been centered on prioritized national strategic crops for desired traits to overcome national issues. Possible breeding techniques can be enriched by exploring new supporting technologies including molecular markers, genetic engineering and genome editing, as well as by co-development and transfer of technologies for overall development in Indonesia.