JAKARTA – The ministry of forestry (Kemenhut) through its directorate general of natural resource and ecosystem conservation has established a strategic partnership with Bogor University of Agriculture (IPB University) to develop the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Biobank, which are aimed to prevent the extinction of wildlife in Indonesia and strengthen a conservation research centre of international standard.
Kemenhut and IPB University signed their partnership cooperation during a ceremony that also marked the initial stage of ART and Biobank development at the IPB campus in Bogor on Tuesday (2/9/2025). The ceremony was attended by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, IPB University Rector Arif Satrya, and representatives from the ministry of national development planning and national development planning board (PPN/Bappenas), USA embassy in Jakarta and national and international partners of conservation.
“This cooperation confirms our commitment to maintaining biodiversity so that it can be passed on to future generations,” said Raja Juli Antoni.
According to the minister, the ART and Biobank partnership is a continuation of both institutions’ collaborations that had been implemented previously. “Previously, we’ve implemented many collaborations, which include preventing extinction of species in Indonesia, so that our next generations can enjoy the biodiversity we have in this country,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of mastering sophisticated technology for the sake of managing forests and preserving Indonesian species.
IPB Rector Arif Satrya said that IPB is ready to become a global reference for conservation technology. “Through ART and Biobank, we develop innovations that are necessary to protect rare animals, including Javan rhinoceros and Sumatran rhinoceros,” he said.
The ART technology covers artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, and cryopreservation of genetic material.
The Biobank allows sperm storage, egg, and tissue to ensure long-term genetic reserves. The steps support the government’s policy of Indonesian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP), which emphasizes the importance of managing biodiversity sustainably through research, use of technology, and development of genetic bank.
Under the framework of IBSAP, the application of ART and Biobank stands as an adaptive strategy to support wildlife management, especially species with small population and fragmented.
The program has been implemented for Sumateran rhinoceros through Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Taman Nasional (national park) Way Kambas, Lampung, and Kelian rhino sanctuary in East Kalimantan.
The activities include collecting, storing, and using genetic material and development of science-based reproductive techniques.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni hopes that the existence of Centre of ART and Biobank in IPB University will make Indonesia as a hub for conservation research in Southeast Asia. “Global researchers will come to Indonesia, not vice versa,” he said. (*)
Sawitku.id. https://www.sawitku.id/ekbis/81415849365/kemenhut-dan-ipb-kembangkan-teknologi-mutakhir-untuk-selamatkan-satwa-liar-indonesia. Kemenhut dan IPB Kembangkan Teknologi Mutakhir untuk Selamatkan Satwa Liar Indonesia. Rabu, 3 September 2025
