On 5 October 2022, SEAMEO BIOTROP soft-launched its one of priority programs “Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism” at the Edutourism Park of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Bogor, Indonesia. The soft launching of the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program was held in conjunction with SEAMEO BIOTROP 60th Governing Board Meeting. The Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program is a form of tourism that combines landscapes ecosystems and agriculture-based education as an attraction or destination for tourists and visitors. This program aims to provide scientific knowledge which includes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). SEAMEO BIOTROP Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism is open to the general public for free until next year.

The Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, Dr Zulhamsyah Imran explained that the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program is designed to unify the elements of an ecosystem that utilizes eco-friendly landscapes and facilities in educating the general public about the values of biodiversity. “We have many locations that will be developed. Currently, there is an edutourism park consisting of a stingless bee nursery, a sensory garden, and several rare plants such as eaglewood, yellow sandalwood, timber, and trembesi trees as an oxygen source for Bogor City. There are also several other locations for people learning about biodiversity” said Dr Zulhamsyah Imran. He also said that in order to run the Agro-Eco-Edu Tourism program, SEAMEO BIOTROP will cooperate with local government agencies, 39 target schools, and overseas educational institutions, such as Thailand and the Philippines. (asa, hcn).