Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the collaboration will also involve all universities in Indonesia to present innovations and technologies in realizing food self-sufficiency within four years.
"We already have five universities. We establish a contract for superior seeds and superior seedlings. For example, we have rice seeds from Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) capable of yielding 13 tons," Sulaiman stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
For the initial cooperation, his side inked a memorandum of understanding with five state universities: IPB, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Hasanuddin University (Unhas), University of North Sumatra (USU), and Syiah Kuala University.
The minister elaborated that this collaboration extends beyond seed development to encompass various sectors in agriculture and animal husbandry.
"Most importantly, with the combination of our natural resources, technology, and 52 percent millennials in the country, we can produce the best agricultural products," he remarked.
Moreover, Sulaiman remarked that the ministry's budget has increased from Rp6.9 trillion to Rp30 trillion (around US$1.93 billion).
To this end, he urged related parties to continue working together in synergy and coordination.
“The president advised us to synergize and collaborate," he remarked.
"We are working together to achieve this goal," he stated.
Meanwhile, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, said his side supports the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to realize food self-sufficiency.
His ministry would assist the government by providing researchers with expertise in agriculture to develop the latest innovations.
"The ministry gives flexibility for lecturers and students to carry out programs that support food self-sufficiency and improve their knowledge and expertise as well," he explained.
Brodjonegoro is optimistic that this collaboration would accelerate the achievement of food self-sufficiency as targeted by the president.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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