Indonesia leverages BRICS to accelerate agricultural modernization

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is leveraging its participation in the BRICS bloc to accelerate the modernization of its domestic farming sector, secure technological investments and achieve national food self-sufficiency.

"Cooperation among BRICS countries opens strategic opportunities for Indonesia to strengthen national food security by accelerating agricultural modernization, increasing productivity and developing sustainable agricultural systems," acting Director General of Plantations at the Agriculture Ministry Ali Jamil noted in a statement here on Sunday.

At the BRICS Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held from June 12–13, 2026, in Indore, India, a high-level Indonesian delegation moved to integrate the country into the bloc's cutting-edge agricultural and financial networks.

Jamil represented Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman at the summit, which concluded with a Joint Declaration. The pact binds member states to improving global food security, advancing smallholder farmer welfare and expanding tech-driven trade.

According to him, the declaration opens up access to the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) and the BRICS AGRIN network, which will assist Indonesia in securing high-yield seed systems, advanced fertilizers and plant genetic resources.

Furthermore, the framework facilitates technical collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), satellite-based crop monitoring, aquaculture development, cold-chain logistics and alternative development financing through the New Development Bank (NDB).

On the sidelines of the summit, the Indonesian delegation held separate bilateral talks with South Africa and India to accelerate market access for leading commodities.

The meeting with South African delegates focused on finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agricultural Cooperation to harmonize food safety and phytosanitary standards.

Meanwhile, discussions with India centered on securing supply pipelines for Indian wheat and garlic seeds to boost domestic production, alongside exploring joint ventures in digital farming and the downstream processing of Indonesian gambier.

Back in Jakarta, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman reinforced that this global push matches Indonesia's aggressive domestic shift toward tech-driven mechanization.

"Agricultural modernization is key to maintaining national food security. We are promoting innovation and technology-based agriculture. With technology, productivity increases, cropping indexes rise, production costs decrease and farmer welfare improves," Amran stated.

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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Primayanti

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