The freedom of Indonesian farmers has entered the media spotlight after local police apprehended a farmer in Aceh province for using and distributing uncertified rice seeds. Munirwan, of Meunasah Reyuk village in North Aceh regency, was arrested last month for the commercial use of IF8 rice seeds, which is not on the Agriculture Ministry's list of registered seeds. The police have declared Munirwan as a suspect and charged him under Article 12 of the 1992 Law on Crop Cultivation and Law No. 42/2012 on the Agriculture Ministry. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of Rp 250 million (US$17,595). Farmer Seeds Sovereignty Coalition (KKBP) spokesperson Muhammad Rifai said that Munirwan's arrest illustrated a lack of clarity in farmers’ freedom in crop management and innovation. ...

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