Today, energy needs continue to increase in line with population growth in the transportation and industrial sectors. The world's dependence on fossil energy sources are still very high and dwindling energy reserves is a global problem that must be anticipated. One alternative to meet energy needs is to develop renewable energy sources such as bio-energy derived from plant biomass. Regarding with that matter, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Jakarta and supported by UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta organized the APEC Training Course on Development of Bioenergy Crops as Renewable Energy Sources for APEC Economies (PPSTI 07 2013A ) on 12-16 October 2015 at the Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Delegates from Asia-Pacific countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Korea participated in the event.

The event was opened by Dr. Hendig Winarno, Head of the Center for Isotopes and Radiation Application (CIRA), the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) Jakarta. The speakers for this course were Dr. Hendig Winarno, Prof. Human Soeranto, Prof. Arief Budiman, Dr. Taryono and Dr. Mohammad Nurcholis. Materials presented are related to the development of biomass-producing crop varieties through mutation, the management of biomass and bioenergy production technology as well as development and increased production of biomass sources of bioenergy crops on marginal land.

On this training, Dr. M. Nurchlolis, from Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, delivered a material entitled "Technology for soil improvement and conservation of bioenergy crops as renewable energy sources". He explained that the marginal land potential is still very large, but its use is still very limited due to low fertility levels. Developing biomass crops for bioenergy production requires inputs and technology to support the growth of crops on marginal land. Therefore, there is a big opportunity to support bioenergy development.

In addition to in class session, the participants also visited field trials and laboratory. Field trips included visiting BATAN experimental field for Adaptation Test of sweet sorghum varieties in Bogor village, Gunung Playen and Pilot Plant Gardens for Bioenergy sorghum and Sunan candle nut in the hamlet of Gunung Kelir, Pleret Village, District Pleret Bantul, Yogyakarta. In addition to field visits, the participants also visited Laboratory of Soil Biology and Compost Production Unit in the Faculty of Agriculture UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta. Hosted by Mr. Agus Widodo, participants saw directly the activity in the lab associated with the development of bioenergy.