Indonesia Eyes Global Agricultural Jobs Through New Worker Development Program

The Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (P2MI) Ministry and Agriculture Ministry are working together to prepare prospective Indonesian migrant workers for agricultural jobs abroad through training, certification, and job-placement programs.

“The demand for workers in the agricultural sector overseas is quite significant. There are around 3,878 job opportunities available in various destinations, including Malaysia, Taiwan, and several European countries,” Deputy P2MI Minister Christina Aryani said in a statement issued by the ministry on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The initiative was discussed during an online meeting between Christina and Head of the Agricultural Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BPPSDMP) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Idha Widi Arsanti.

According to Christina, preparations must begin domestically and involve close coordination between ministries to ensure workers meet the skills, qualifications, and placement requirements of destination countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Bulgaria, and Croatia.

“We will develop a pilot project for the preparation and placement of agricultural workers overseas, covering workforce demand identification, recruitment, training, language acquisition, certification, and deployment,” Christina said.

Under the plan, agricultural education and training institutions will serve as talent development centers before participants enter the overseas placement process.

Christina emphasized that rising international demand for agricultural workers should be matched by efforts to equip prospective migrant workers with technical skills, language proficiency, an understanding of workplace culture, and relevant certifications.

“By doing so, they will have the competencies required, understand the work culture in destination countries, and be able to work safely and with proper protection,” she added.

BPPSDMP also outlined existing agricultural training programs, including the successful placement of hundreds of graduates through Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme.

Christina said the experience gained through those programs provides a strong foundation for expanding collaboration in developing Indonesian agricultural talent for international employment opportunities. ***