©FAO/Harriansyah

Jakarta, Indonesia - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Indonesia and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Standardisation (Badan Standardisasi Instrumen Pertanian, BSIP), Ministry of Agriculture have embarked on a landmark partnership. This collaboration, formalised by signing an Operational Partnership Agreement (OPA), serves as a cornerstone for the "Crop Diversity Conservation for Sustainable Use in Indonesia" project, which will progress through 2027.

The project confronts key challenges in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for target crops, such as rice, taro, yam, nutmeg, and clove. It is poised to address several critical issues: aligning policy support, enhancing capacities for conserving and utilising plant genetic resources sustainably, and broadening access to plant genetic materials and its related information as well as better governing access benefit sharing, particularly for in-situ conservation. By tackling these issues, the project will secure the conservation and sustainable usage of these crucial crops and fortify the foundation for sustainable agricultural production and commodity value chains. In doing so, it aims to enrich the lives and welfare of local farmers, both men and women and the Masyarakat Adat in Central Java, Central Kalimantan, and North Maluku.

"This collaboration is a testament to our joint efforts, and we are here to make a meaningful contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Targets. This initiative is a manifestation of our dedication to the ‘4 Betters’: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all, leaving no one behind", said FAO Rajendra Aryal, Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste.

"Through this partnership with FAO, we take a decisive step towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative marks the commencement of our concerted efforts to preserve Indonesia's crop diversity", expressed Professor Dr. Fadjry Djufry, Director General of BSIP about the partnership's objectives.

"Through this project and partnership with FAO, we hope that there will be more than 20,000 direct beneficiaries comprising 50% of women", stated Dr. Ir. Priatna Sasmita, M.Si., the (Acting) Director of BBPSI Biogen of BSIP.