Selektani sows research partnerships, branches into agriscience

After growing a successful seed production enterprise for the past 30 years, Selektani Horticulture is branching out into genetic materials research and crop nutrition. Sowing the seeds of this business plan, the agribusiness company that took root in North Sumatra is expanding its research and technology partnerships globally, with a special interest in Taiwan.

Hendro Basuki, Selektani's president, values the role played by Western companies in shaping commerce in Indonesia, particularly in helping it become the agricultural country it is today.

"Children in the West are educated to ask 'why?'" Basuki says. "This research-oriented culture is an important influence on us."

Selektani's strategic co-operation with Dutch companies has enabled it to serve and obtain investments from other multinational companies. Basuki even says researchers from the Netherlands have for decades shaped Indonesia's agricultural science since the establishment of the Proefstation Oost-Java research station.

Antonius Setiawan, general manager, attributes Selektani's growth to its long-time partnerships nurtured through close co-operation and accountability.

Offering local knowledge and a wide distribution network, Selektani is a partner of choice in the rapidly developing Indonesian horticulture market. It is a member of the Asia and Pacific Seed Association, the Federation Internationale du Commerce des Semences and other organisations.