MINALDI is not a soldier. Nevertheless, not long ago this researcher into meristem culture at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) was already calling his ‘troops’ to assembly at 6:30am at the sago palm plantations on Tebing Tinggi Island in Riau. He explained the mistakes in procedure that his troops were making in their handling of the sago seedlings that were being planted.

“As soon as I arrive at the plant