Indonesia-Australia Expands Post-Harvest Research

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Post-harvest management and supply chain strengthening are key to increasing agricultural competitiveness and strengthening sustainable food security. These issues were discussed at the international webinar, ROAFERIAN, organized by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Central Queensland University, Australia.

In various countries, challenges in the food sector relate not only to increasing production but also to maintaining the quality of harvested produce throughout the distribution process until it reaches consumers. Post-harvest losses, supply chain disruptions, market fluctuations, and the impact of climate change are factors that impact food security and the competitiveness of agricultural products.

In a statement received on Tuesday, May 2, 2026, the Head of the Agricultural and Food Research Organization at BRIN, Puji Lestari, emphasized that the current challenge in the agricultural sector lies not only in increasing production but also in maintaining the quality of harvested produce until it reaches consumers. "Therefore, post-harvest research and the supply chain must go hand in hand to ensure product quality is maintained until it reaches consumers," she said.

Puji also conveyed increasing distribution efficiency requires research support, the implementation of cold chain technology, digitalization, and collaboration between stakeholders. He stated that this is essential for Indonesian agricultural products to compete in an increasingly competitive market.

Meanwhile, Hurriyet Babacan, Director of International Research at CQUniversity Australia, warned that modern agricultural supply chains face increasingly complex challenges due to climate change, logistical disruptions, limited infrastructure, and biosecurity threats. "Supply chain resilience is determined not only by operational efficiency, but also by the ability to adapt to various disruptions and uncertainties that can affect the sustainability of the food system," said Hurriyet.