ASIATODAY.ID, BOGOR — Indonesia and China have expanded their strategic cooperation on food security by launching a new research and innovation partnership focused on sustainable agriculture, digital farming, and advanced food technologies, reinforcing bilateral efforts to address rising global food security challenges.
The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), through its Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, and China’s National Academy of Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NAFRA) on June 23, 2026.
The agreement establishes a framework for long-term collaboration in agricultural research, technology development, and innovation, while reflecting the growing importance of science diplomacy in Indonesia–China relations.
Puji Lestari, Head of BRIN’s Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, said the partnership represents a strategic step toward building more resilient and sustainable agri-food systems by combining the scientific expertise of both institutions.
“Our goal is to establish a long-term collaboration that delivers tangible impacts on the development of resilient agri-food systems,” she said.
The cooperation covers joint research, researcher capacity building, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and the downstream commercialization of research outcomes.
To kick-start the partnership, BRIN and NAFRA jointly organized the International Training Workshop on Moderate Rice Processing and Comprehensive Utilization of By-products, bringing together researchers from both countries to exchange expertise on rice processing technologies and the value-added utilization of agricultural by-products.
The collaboration will focus on several priority areas, including food and nutrition security, post-harvest food loss reduction, digital agriculture, smart farming, agro-industrial supply chain management, and advanced food processing technologies.
Zhu Jiang, Vice President of NAFRA, said the partnership is founded on the principles of mutual respect and sustainable development, adding that closer cooperation will accelerate technology exchange, joint research, and the commercialization of innovations in food safety, nutrition, digital agriculture, and food processing.
The initiative has also received support from the Chinese government. Yixian Liang, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, described the MoU as an important milestone in expanding bilateral cooperation in science and technology.
According to Liang, Indonesia and China share common interests in strengthening food security through research, innovation, and technology transfer.
He said the partnership is expected to generate practical solutions that support sustainable agricultural development while contributing to stronger food resilience across the region.
As food security becomes an increasingly strategic global priority, the BRIN–NAFRA collaboration underscores how scientific research, technological innovation, and international partnerships are playing a growing role in shaping more resilient and sustainable food systems for the future. (AT Network)
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