Indonesia, FAO Launch $200,000 Animal Quarantine Programme

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Quarantine Authority (Barantin) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a US $200,000 programme to strengthen the country's animal quarantine system against the growing threat of cross-border animal diseases. The initiative will run from 2026 to 2028 under FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme, as announced during the programme's inception workshop in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

According to the FAO’s press release, the program aims to improve Indonesia's ability to prevent the entry and spread of animal diseases and other agricultural threats through improving Indonesia’s animal quarantine risk management. It is expected to improve preparedness against transboundary animal diseases, zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans, invasive alien species and other agricultural threats that could undermine public health, food security, biodiversity and the economy.

Indonesia's livestock sector supports the livelihoods of around 13 million households, based on 2023 data from the national statistics agency. Despite that Indonesia’s quarantine system still faces challenges including fragmented data, limited integration of surveillance information and the absence of a risk assessment framework that fully aligns with international standards.

Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority, Abdul Kadir Karding, said Indonesia's quarantine system must evolve alongside rapidly changing global trade patterns. He said stronger risk analysis, digital technology and data-driven decision-making are needed to complement border inspections and ensure efficient trade without compromising biosecurity.

"The Quarantine Authority does not wish to become an obstacle or a bottleneck at the border. However, acceleration of the flow of goods must not come at the expense of our biosecurity. A modern, data-driven risk management approach that is aligned with international standards is key to protecting food security while simultaneously boosting national economic efficiency," Karding said, as quoted by the press release.

The programme will strengthen the technical capacity of quarantine officers to identify and manage disease risks using standardized methods while also developing an integrated digital platform for disease surveillance, risk mapping and early warning. It will also support public awareness campaigns and community engagement to improve prevention, preparedness and early detection of animal disease threats.

FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor-Leste Rajendra Aryal said effective animal quarantine requires a One Health approach that recognizes the close links between animal, human and environmental health.

"Animal quarantine system is as a critical frontline defence against these risks. FAO is committed to supporting Barantin in strengthening its quarantine and risk analysis capacities by utilizing digital technologies," Aryal said, as quoted from the press release. He continued stating that cross-sector cooperation and stronger quarantine systems are essential to protect public health, ecosystems and international trade.