Strengthen agricultural ties to boost food security and sustainability
Indonesia and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic partnership aimed at advancing greenhouse-based horticulture to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture. The collaboration was formalized during a meeting between Indonesian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono and Dutch Deputy Director-General for Agro Guido Landheer in Jakarta.
The partnership builds on Indonesia’s goal to accelerate horticultural productivity and food self-sufficiency by leveraging Dutch expertise in agriculture. Sudaryono highlighted the Netherlands’ success in becoming the second-largest agricultural exporter globally, despite having only four million hectares of land, through innovation, technology, and efficiency.
“We need to learn a lot from the Dutch, who have centuries of experience in developing agriculture, especially in horticulture, greenhouses, seeds, and irrigation,” Sudaryono stated during a press conference.
The two nations agreed to cooperate through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by their respective agriculture ministers. The MoU focuses on promoting modern and sustainable horticultural production through technology application and knowledge sharing.
Sudaryono emphasized the importance of involving younger generations in modern farming practices, particularly greenhouse technology, to ensure the regeneration of Indonesia’s farming community. While acknowledging the higher upfront investment required for greenhouse farming compared to traditional methods, he noted its long-term benefits, including increased productivity and cost efficiency.
“We need more young Indonesians to get involved in horticulture using greenhouse technology,” he said, calling for innovation-driven youth participation.
The Dutch delegation, which included representatives from greenhouse companies, seed suppliers, and technical providers, expressed their support for Indonesia’s agricultural development. Landheer clarified that the collaboration is not intended to increase Dutch exports to Indonesia but to strengthen Indonesia’s domestic production capacity through shared knowledge and experience.
Recently, Dutch companies had shown interest in contributing to Indonesia’s agriculture sector but faced challenges that are now being addressed to support investment and benefit local farmers. Sudaryono assured full support for initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to the people, the country, and farmers through efficient and collaborative efforts.
This partnership reflects Indonesia’s commitment to adopting innovative agricultural practices to bolster food security and sustainability. By working closely with the Netherlands, Indonesia aims to modernize its horticultural sector, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers and businesses in both nations.
The collaboration underscores the shared vision of both countries to address global food security challenges through cooperation, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices.
