Research to Focus on Biodiversity with Added Value

The research ecosystem has not been optimally established. In addition to the reluctance of the industries to conduct research, the government has not guaranteed the purchase of research products from the industry.

Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan

A researcher tested the compound of ketepeng leaf (Cassia alata) and parasite leaf (Dendrophtoe Sp) as herbal medicine for Covid-19 at the Laboratory of Good Traditional Medicine Manufacturing Methods (CPOTD) Chemical Research Center, Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Puspitek, South Tangerang , Banten, Wednesday (6/5/2020). LIPI is developing an herbal-based Covid-19 anti-virus derived from the formulation of ketepeng and parasitic leaves.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Indonesia is rich in natural resources such as biodiversity but still lacking the technology to develop them. The natural wealth, if used optimally, can create added value that can support the country’s economic development.

Professor of Environmental Management at Diponegoro University, Semarang, Sudharto P. Hadi, who is also the former deputy chairman of the National Research Council, said there was still a tendency to export national resources in the form of raw materials. In fact, if they were processed through innovation and exported in the form of finished products, they would have a higher selling power and can open up more jobs and business activities.