Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister's SeniorAdvisor for Agricultural Products DownstreamingSyarif Burhanuddin expressed hope that domestic farmers could gain knowledge in Steviacultivation from the cooperation with investors."The cooperation is expected to improve people's welfare and economy. However, it should be noted that the most important thing is that such a cooperation would be better if it involves knowledge transfer," Burhanuddin said here on Sunday. The cooperation in Steviacultivation is expected to be expanded to other commodities, he added. The government, he said, is seeking measures to facilitate investors who are keen to invest in Indonesia by formulating proper regulations that would also provide benefits for the local society. "All parties, including farmers, regional governments, security forces, and investors must work in synergy. We will yield nothing without collaboration," Burhanuddin affirmed. Local farmers have worked in cooperation with investor PT GagakPerkasaIndokorto cultivate Stevia--a plant for sweetener and sugar substitute-- in a three-hectare of land in Minahasa District. The commodity will be exported to South Korea. ccording to Burhanuddin, the success in Steviacultivation would encourage other companies to partake in such cooperation. "The principle is to prevent monopoly, as such a practice would lead to injustice and unequal treatment, that in turn would lead to discontent. Hence, we expect investors to transfer their knowledge," he reiterated. In his visit to Minahasa District, the minister's senioradvisor spoke to farmer groups and the investor of Steviacultivation in Tondegesan Village, before proceeding to review the condition of farmers and entrepreneurs of Porang plant in Kayuuwi Village.

Source: Antara News Agency