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| ICONBEAT UMM attended by the Chancellor of Universidad Autónoma Chapingo Mexico, America (Photo: Devi PR) |
Genetic improvement leads to many things, such as making more productive plants and animals. Humans also need to manage the genetic resources of animal production to increase food yields, especially to improve human health. This was conveyed by Dr. Jose Solis Ramirez as the rector of Universidad Autónoma Chapingo Mexico, America at the 4th International Conference on Bio-Energy & Environmentally Agriculture Technology (ICONBEAT). The event was initiated by the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) and was held on November 22nd, 2023, with offline and online agenda.
Furthermore, Jose said, if we want to make sure the food supply is safe to feed for the global population, especially when it comes to protein production, it is important to develop a modern and sustainable breeding plan. The plan should consider various trends such as production, transduction, nutritional value, as well as other relevant information that affects the overall production system. Thus, we can aim to achieve the highest level of profitability.
"This is a profitable program that leads to sustainable changes in average generation, efficiency, productivity, and profitability of livestock enterprises," Jose said.
He said it is necessary to estimate the selection parameters and economic value, choose a genetic improvement system, and the genotypes to be produced. This allows us to design an evaluation system, develop selection criteria, design strategies to disseminate genetic improvement, conduct economic analysis, and review the scheme.
Other than Jose, there were other international presenters who contributed their research. Such as Prof. Dr. Ir. Budi Leksono, MP. as a senior expert researcher from the Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), Prof. Maximo Larry Lopez Caceres, Ph.D. from Yamagata University, and Prof. Francisco Alberto Garcia-Vazquez as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Professor at the University of Murcia.
During the event, Budi Leksono discussed the latest developments in renewable energy, particularly forestry-based biofuels in Indonesia. He explained that the global energy crisis in 2006 triggered an increase in fossil fuel prices. This prompted attention to environmentally friendly biofuels.
"There are four main reasons to switch over to biofuels. These include the decreasing potential of fossil fuels, the increase in carbon dioxide gas that causes global warming, air pollution due to fossil fuel combustion, and soil and water pollution," he explained.
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He also discussed the development of biofuels from Indonesian forests, focusing on crops such as oil palm, poinsettia and others. The development of biofuel technology, especially from non-food crops, is dealing with a number of difficulties. These include resource constraints and low productivity in the early years of the crop. There are also high production costs and the need for cross-sector cooperation.
The steps to developing a forest-based biofuel industry were elaborated in his presentation. For example, genetic research, plant propagation, and the use of industrial waste. Partnerships with energy plantation companies and forest seed companies were shown as concrete steps to realize industrial-scale biofuel production.
"I hope that the development of biofuel from forests is expected to make a significant contribution in accomplishing the greenhouse gas emission reduction target and supporting energy sustainability. This step also strengthens Indonesia's position as a leader in the utilization of renewable energy," Budi concluded. (*dev/wil/put)
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