Discussion of Wheat Development in Indonesia

Wheat DWR-162 discovered by Dr. S. Nagarajan of the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India can grow well in Indonesia. This was expressed by General Chairman of Wheat Flour Producers Association of Indonesia (APTINDO) Franciscus Welirang, in his presentation in the Meeting Room of the Faculty of Agriculture, Darmaga Campus of IPB.

He further expressed this type of wheat can survive in areas that can not be planted with food crops. This variety has been tested and developed by Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Central Java.

Vice Minister of Agriculture of Indonesia, Bayu Krisnamurthi said that the uniqueness of the wheat crop is that it can be grown at the time when rice can not grow. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative crop for additional food of the people in the midst of food crisis due to climate change.

”Of course we can not expect much from this wheat. It can produce only around 2.5 to 3 tons per hectare. To get one million tons, we need around 334 hectares of land. Where is the land? ” said the Vice Minister.

Seeing the potential of wheat DWR-162, Franciscus Welirang hopes that this type of wheat could be developed in Indonesia. (mtd)