Indonesia, China Explore Agricultural Research Collaboration in Papua

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Transmigration and the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta are exploring a partnership to establish an agricultural research center, vocational education programs, and a stronger food ecosystem in the Salor Transmigration Area, Merauke, South Papua.

Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said the initiative is designed to support national food self‑sufficiency while improving education for local communities. “China will provide a grant to build a rice research center, as we want to focus on food self‑sufficiency through agricultural hubs and vocational schools for the farming sector,” he explained in Jakarta on Thursday, June 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Research by the Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) of the Ministry of Transmigration in 2025 identified several challenges to boosting productivity in the area, including seed quality, pest control, irrigation, and farm road infrastructure.

Local authorities have also proposed developing agricultural equipment workshops to support the region’s vast rice fields, which span more than 60,000 hectares.

To address these issues, the ministry plans to involve partner universities, such as IPB University (Bogor Agricultural Institute), to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem in Salor. “We will collaborate with designated partner campuses, including IPB, to develop food centers in the Salor transmigration area,” Minister Iftitah said.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong praised Salor’s potential to become a hub for modern agriculture and even a new satellite city in South Papua. “I am very impressed with what I saw and heard today. There is great potential here. Chinese agricultural experts who visited the area also see significant opportunities for development,” he remarked.

Beyond food production, Wang highlighted opportunities to expand supporting industries, including agricultural machinery manufacturing. “We support the use of Chinese technology to strengthen agricultural development in this region,” he added.

This collaboration reflects Indonesia’s broader push to integrate research, education, and technology into its food security strategy, while opening new avenues for international cooperation in Papua. ***