Indonesia-Japan Strengthen Agribusiness Through Youth Training Program

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian young farmers taking part in the Indonesian Young Farm Leaders Training Program in Japan (IYFLTPJ) have been encouraged to apply the modern agricultural practices they learn abroad to strengthen Indonesia’s farming sector.

In a press release issued Friday, February 20, 2026, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo highlighted remarks from Deputy Ambassador Maria Renata Hutagalung, who urged participants of the program’s 41st batch to put their training into practice at home.

She emphasized the importance of adopting Japanese approaches to modern farming, including boosting crop yields and advancing agribusiness in Indonesia.

“Through this program, Indonesian young farmers are expected to develop and implement modern agricultural practices learned in Japan back in their homeland,” Maria said during a meeting with participants at the embassy on Thursday, February 19, as quoted by Antara.

She also underscored the role of participants as farm leaders and agents of change in their respective regions, tasked with improving productivity, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding export opportunities for Indonesian agricultural products, including to Japan.

The IYFLTPJ, now in its 41st cycle, has been running for four decades as a collaboration between Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC). The program aims to build the capacity of young Indonesian farmers in modern agricultural technology, agribusiness management, and production efficiency.

Participants spend about a year living with host farmers in Japan, undergoing field training, academic sessions, machinery workshops facilitated by MAFF, and study tours across various prefectures.

To date, more than 650 Indonesian farmers have joined the program and are now part of IKAMAJA, the alumni association. Many have gone on to contribute to agricultural development in Indonesia, including as trainers at community-based agricultural centers (P4S) and as pioneers of independent farmer organizations. ***