Prof Darnaedi: Indonesia Kaya Biodiversitas Tapi Langka Ahli Taksonomi
Ketua Penggalang Taksonomi Tumbuhan Indonesia (PTTI), Prof Dedy Darnaedi mengatakan jumlah
ahli taksonomi yang dimiliki Indonesia langka padahal Keanekaragaman Hayati sangat berlimpah.
Demikian dikatakannya dalam “4th International Conference on Global Resource Conservation, 10th
Congress of Indonesian Society for Plant Taxonomyx di Gedung Widyaloka (7/1).
Dikatakan Prof Dedy jumlah ahli taksonomi yang dimiliki oleh Indonesia hanya lima persen karena
ilmu taksonomi dianggap tidak menarik, tidak menguntungkan, dan tidak ada nilai komersialisasinya.
“Ilmu taksonomi itu sangat penting terutama untuk mendeteksi jenis tanaman-tanaman unggul yang
berguna bagi ketahanan pangan,”kata Prof Darnaedi.
Jenis-jenis tanaman Unggul, seperti padi, jagung, dan sagu sudah banyak dikenal oleh masyarakat.
Namun jenis tanaman yang dikenal oleh masyarakat umumnya tidak tahan terhadap hama. Oleh
karena itu, menurut Prof Darnaedi membutuhkan jenis-jenis liar yang akan dibudidayakan menjadi
spesies yang lebih unggul dari hama dan penyakit.
Setelah diketahui jenis-jenis unggul, akan bisa dikawinkan dan akan menghasilkan jenis tanaman
yang lebih tahan terhadap hama dan penyakit.
“Taksonomi diperlukan untuk mengetahui kekayaan alam, terutama keanekaragaman hayati yang
ada di Papua. Hal ini untuk dimanfaatkan secara berkelanjutan dan ada pembagian yang adil dari
pemanfaatan genetik biodiversity Indonesia. Tugas seorang ahli taksonomi yaitu pertama
mengumpulkan (inventarisasi), karakterisasi, memberi penjelasan (pertelaan), menyusun kunci
penjelasan sampai kita bisa memberi penjelasan jenis A, jenis B, dan karakteristiknya. Dan itu hanya
orang taksnomi yang bisa melakukannya,”kata Prof Dedy.
Pentingnya ahli taksonomi bagi keanekaragaman hayati juga disepakati oleh Deputi Kementrian
Pertanian Dr.Ir.Hermanto. Dia menambahkan bahwa Indonesia mempunyai minimal 100 spesies
gandum, umbi-umbian, dan sagu sebagai sumber karbohidrat sebagai sumber karbohidrat, 100
spesies kacang-kacangan sebagai sumber lemak dan protein, 389 spesies buah-buahan, 250 spesies
sayuran, dan 940 spesies tanaman obat.
Dengan banyaknya spesies yang dimiliki oleh Indonesia tersebut, Indonesia bisa mencukupi
kebutuhan pangan 250 juta penduduknya.
“Untuk mewujudkan ketahanan pangan Indonesia perlu kerja dari seluruh elemen, seperti stake
holder, pemerintah, dan akademisi,”kata Dr.Hermanto. [Oky]
Prof Darnaedi: Indonesia is Rich of Biodiversity but Rare of Taxonomists
The Head of Indonesian Society for Plants Taxonomy (PTTI), Prof Dedy Darnaedi said that the
number of taxonomists in Indonesia was still rare, although it was rich of biodiversity. It was stated
in “The 4th International Conference on Global Resource Conservation, 10th Congress of Indonesian
Society for Plants Taxonomy in Widyaloka (Jan. 7/1).
As said by Prof Dedy, the number of taxonomists in Indonesia is only five percent because taxonomy
is assumed as not interesting, not profitable, and has no commercial values. “Taxonomy is very
important especially to detect the kind of superior plants which are useful for food security,” said
Prof Darnaedi.
The kind of superior plants, such as, paddies, corns and sago have been known by many people. But
the kind of plants which are well known by people commonly are not resistant to pests. Therefore,
according to Prof Darnaedi, it needs the wild plants to be cultivated to become more superior
species against pests and diseases.
After knowing the kind of superior plants, they can be mated and will produce plants which are
superior against pests and diseases.
“A taxonomist is required to know natural resources, especially biodiversity in Papua. It can be used
sustainably and there is a fair distribution from the utilization of Indonesian biodiversity genetics.
The duty of a taxonomic is to take stock, to characterize, to give explanation, to compile the key of
explanation until we can give the explanation of type A, typel B and its characteristics. And only a
taxonomy who can do it,” said Prof Dedy.
The important of a taxonomy for biodiversity is also agreed by the Deputi of Ministry of Agriculture,
Dr. Ir. Hermanto. He also added, Indonesia has at least 100 species of wheat, tuber and sago as the
source of carbohydrates, 100 species of beans as the source of fat and protein, 389 species of fruits,
250 species of vegetables and 940 species of medicinal plants.
With the large number of species, Indonesia can fulfil the required food of 250 citizans. To actualize
Indonesia food security, it needs hard work from all elements, such as the stakeholders,
government, and academicians,” said Dr. Hermanto. [Oky/ translated by wCn]