Strengthening Food Security Through Innovation in Climate-Resilient Local Rice Varieties

Food security cannot be achieved by a single entity alone. Amid the growing challenges of global climate change, Indonesia needs collaboration across sectors and nations to strengthen its food systems from the ground up.

One of these collaborative efforts is embodied in the research project “Building a Sustainable Future: Developing Nutritious and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties.” The project brings together researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the Australian National University (ANU). Through this partnership, the team aims to develop local rice varieties that are not only more resistant to climate stress but also richer in nutritional value.

read more

Yogyakarta, September 24, 2025 — Research Center for Biotechnology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a delegation from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen institutional collaboration in research and academic development, while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through biotechnology-driven innovation.

During the visit, Prof. Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, S.Si., M.Si., presented an overview of the Center’s profile, research directions, and contributions to advancing biotechnology for sustainability. She emphasized the crucial role of biotechnology in addressing global challenges such as food security, public health, and environmental preservation — areas that align closely with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

read more

Written by: Dr. Siti Nurbaiti

From Monday, January 27 to Friday, February 21, 2025, the research team from the Pigmented Rice Research Group, Prof. Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, who also serves as the Head of the Research Center for Biotechnology UGM, and Dr. Siti Nurbaiti, participated in the “Gene Editing for Indica Rice and Excellence Through Stewardship” training at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, the Philippines. This activity is part of the KONEKSI partnership program between Australia and Indonesia, titled “Building a Sustainable Future: Developing Nutritious and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties.” Previously, in June of the preceding year, the team had the opportunity to attend training and workshops at The ARC Training Center for Future Crops Development, The Australian National University, and The University of Adelaide, and now this collaboration enabled Prof. Yekti and Dr. Baiti to undertake a four-week genome editing training program at IRRI, the Philippines.

read more

Yogyakarta – The Research Center and Study Program of Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held the 10^th National Biotechnology Seminar with the theme “Fostering Interdisciplinary Solutions in Biotechnology for Sustainability.” The event, which took place at the Graduate School Unversitas Gadjah Mada on Saturday, October 26, 2024, gathered over 200 participants from 36 different institutions, including academics, researchers, and practitioners.

This seminar highlighted the urgency of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing increasingly complex global challenges, such as climate change, food security, and environmental degradation. “Through an integrated biotechnology approach, we hope to find innovative solutions to ensure sustainability across various sectors, including agriculture, health, industry, and the environment,” said Agung Dian Kharisma, S.Pd.Si., M.Biotech, Ph.D., the seminar’s committee chairperson.

read more

Yogyakarta — The Research Center and Study Program of Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the 10^th National Biotechnology Seminar with the theme “Fostering Interdisciplinary Solutions in Biotechnology for Sustainability.” The event took place at the Auditorium of Graduate School Universitas Gadjah Mada on Saturday (November 26, 2024). The seminar attracted over 200 participants from 36 different institutions, including academics, researchers, and practitioners from various fields.

read more