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Indonesia needs more research to boost agricultural productivity
Indonesia ranked 65 out of 113 in the overall Global Food Security Index (GSFI) last year.
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Farmers harvest rice in Tegalgondo village, Malang, East Java. Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said Indonesia needed to increase agricultural research to improve rice productivity in the country. (JP/Aman Rochman)
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ndonesia has been known for centuries as an agricultural hub with an abundant crop potential, but it must improve its agricultural research to boost productivity and food security for its large and growing population.
According to a study conducted by the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS), rice consumption in Indonesia will increase to 99.55 kg per capita by 2045 from 97.6 kg per capita in 2017. The figure assumes that the population will grow to about 300 million in 2045.
However, challenges persist as Agriculture Ministry data shows that rice productivity was only 51.92 percent, and Indonesia only ranked 65 out of 113 in the overall Global Food Security Index (GSFI) last year.
“The key to improving our productivity is research and development,” Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said during a keynote speech at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Kadin) agribusiness national coordination meeting on Monday (4/11).
The minister wants to implement a triple helix scheme which will bring together researchers, farmers and the government to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
He said that the super tax deduction of up to 300 percent for research activities should encourage the private sector to undertake more research and development.
Bambang said many Indonesian researchers were able to create prototypes from their research. However, they found it difficult to commercialize their inventions due to a lack of funding.
