Agriculture Ministry joins forces with BRIN to bolster research for self-sufficiency and downstreaming

The Agriculture Ministry and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) are strengthening their strategic collaboration in research, innovation, and the downstreaming of agricultural research results to support the acceleration of food self-sufficiency and the development of sustainable agricultural downstream processing. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that both institutions had agreed to reinforce collaboration and synergy, particularly in research and the downstreaming of agricultural product research. This strengthened synergy was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and BRIN, which opens a wider space for cooperation among researchers to develop various agricultural innovations that have a direct impact on increasing productivity and farmer welfare. Amran said the collaboration represents an important step in fortifying the foundation of national agricultural development based on science and technology. According to the Minister, the cooperation serves as a crucial umbrella to accelerate the emergence of agricultural innovation and technology capable of answering various challenges in the national food sector, from production increases to climate change adaptation. He added that researchers would be able to work at facilities owned by the Agriculture Ministry, thereby strengthening the collaboration, communication, and synergy between the two bodies. The Minister emphasised that food security encompasses not only rice commodities but also horticulture, plantations, livestock, and various other subsectors that support national food availability.