“We are collaborating with firms like Kideco to explore local potential, including sacha inchi, rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9 as a superfood,” BRIDA Head Fitriansyah said Wednesday in Samarinda.
He said the crop has dual strategic value for regional resilience: as a nutrient-rich food source and a biomass feedstock for energy.
The National Energy Council has challenged BRIDA to position sacha inchi as a raw material for green energy.
BRIDA is seeking investors to fund machinery that can process sacha inchi oil into biofuel.
Beyond sacha inchi, the agency is refining haruan fish oil extracts aimed at reducing stunting rates in the province.
Fitriansyah emphasized that a sustainable research ecosystem requires support from local governments, domestic and international universities, and corporate partners.
BRIDA actively encourages East Kalimantan companies to allocate CSR funds to support research.
He proposed joint funding between government and private sectors, noting many companies already have capable internal research departments.
“Such collaboration is crucial to overcoming common research challenges, such as high travel costs for researchers to remote areas,” Fitriansyah said.
Cross-sector financing is expected to help mitigate unforeseen field costs that often inflate research budgets.
“Through this collaborative strategy, BRIDA is optimistic that East Kalimantan’s research will be more actionable and deliver tangible benefits to the community,” he added.
The BRIDA initiative aligns with the Indonesian government’s priority programs, including combating stunting and boosting food and energy security.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has recently emphasized that food, clean water, and energy security are pillars of national sustainability.
In this context, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Prof. Arif Satria pledged to focus BRIN on research and development in food, energy, and water.
He plans to coordinate with ministries, universities, industry, and local governments to implement programs in these sectors.
“BRIN will oversee the president’s priority programs on food, energy, and water. These areas must be supported by strong research and innovation, which are crucial drivers of economic progress,” Arif said after his inauguration at the State Palace in Jakarta on November 10, 2025.
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Translator: Ahmad R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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