Indonesia and Poland explore agricultural cooperation to address global dynamics
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia and Poland are exploring opportunities for cooperation in the agricultural sector to strengthen food security and enhance productivity in the face of global dynamics through collaboration on technology, investment, and sustainable agricultural resource development.
“I received the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Poland, related to how we can strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the agricultural sector with Poland,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono in Jakarta on Monday.
Wamentan emphasised this when receiving a visit from Poland’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Małgorzata Gromadzka, at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Central Office in Jakarta.
He stated that the government continues to promote the strengthening of international cooperation in the agricultural sector as a strategic step to maintain food security amid global dynamics.
Wamentan Sudaryono affirmed that Indonesia takes an open stance in international cooperation, including utilising the momentum of the free trade agreement with the European Union to strengthen the national food system.
“Indonesia is an open country. We are non-aligned and we cooperate with anyone, including taking great opportunities. We want cooperation in this regard, trade cooperation between exports-imports and then other things that might include investment,” said Sudaryono.
According to him, amid global pressures due to conflicts, wars, and supply chain disruptions, cooperation between countries can no longer be general but must be concrete through opening market access, simplifying technical procedures, and strengthening agricultural investment and research.
“We are talking about how we can enhance cooperation between countries in the fields of trade, investment, to research, and so on,” said Wamentan.
According to him, in a global situation full of challenges due to conflicts, wars, and crises, bilateral cooperation between countries is deemed increasingly important to ensure the fulfilment of societal needs as well as to maintain stability in the food and economic sectors.
In the meeting, the two countries technically discussed opportunities and challenges in trading several strategic commodities.
Poland is pushing for the export of products such as beef, dairy products, wheat, and berries. Meanwhile, Indonesia emphasised the importance of meeting health standards, veterinary certification, and audit processes before market access is opened.
Indonesia also affirmed a cautious stance for certain commodities, such as poultry, considering biosecurity factors and protection of domestic production. On the other hand, opportunities remain open for other commodities as long as they meet technical requirements and domestic market needs.
Sudaryono emphasised that the agricultural sector has strategic dimensions far beyond mere trade, as it directly relates to the availability of food for the population.
“Especially agriculture which is very important, because agriculture means food, how we can secure our food for Indonesia, and also how other countries, like Poland, can secure their food for themselves,” he stressed.
Furthermore, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation through the formation of a technical working group to accelerate the resolution of various trade protocols, including for beef and dairy products.
That step is expected to speed up the audit process, alignment of standards, and direct implementation of trade once requirements are met.
In addition, cooperation will also be expanded through business actor meetings, investment exploration, and opportunities for signing memoranda of understanding between governments to strengthen the long-term cooperation framework.
Meanwhile, Poland’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Małgorzata Gromadzka, assessed that cooperation with Indonesia has great potential because both countries have complementary production characteristics.
“I am very pleased to visit Indonesia and to discuss agricultural products; we cooperate in the exchange of agricultural products,” she said.
She also highlighted Poland’s strategic position as a gateway to the European market, while viewing Indonesia as an important partner in the Asian region.
“I believe we have many opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation,” said Małgorzata Gromadzka.
She hopes that these cooperation opportunities will not only increase trade volume but also create more balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial relations, especially in facing increasingly complex global food challenges.