Indonesia and IRRI
Indonesia and IRRI's partnership has been mutually beneficial since 1972. It resulted in increased rice productivity, improved livelihoods for Indonesian rice farmers, and increased capability of a trained new generation of Indonesian scientists.
Collaboration between the government of Indonesia and IRRI formally began in 20 December 1972, when both agreed to cooperate in the improvement of rice research through Indonesia’s National Rice Research Program.
In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between IRRI and Indonesia in 1978, a partnership that gave top priority to the genetic evaluation and utilization of rice, the implementation of improved rice-based cropping systems, the development and testing of machinery for small-scale farming, and the formal academic training and specialized non-degree training of Indonesian scientists, started.
At this early stage, support was received from various sources such as the Ford Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the government of the Netherlands.
Another MOU, signed on 30 August 1984, underlined the importance of collaborating in genetic evaluation and utilization for different ecosystems, particularly uplands, high-elevation areas, tidal wetlands, and swampy areas. It also covered collaboration in water management, the sharing of genetic resources, scientist exchange, and co-publication.
The following MOUs, each in effect for a five-year period, were signed on 20 April 1990, 16 November 1995, 4 December 1999, 21 June 2001, and September 2006. They covered various aspects of research and human resource development. Genetic evaluation and utilization for various ecosystems, and the management of rice genetic resources, have remained top priorities, in addition to forecasting pest and disease epidemics, improving soil quality, and technology generation and promotion.
In 1989, in recognition of IRRI’s role in helping Indonesia achieve rice self-sufficiency, Indonesia’s President at the time, Suharto, presented the Bintang Jasa Utama (the country’s highest merit award) to IRRI’s then director general, Dr. Klaus Lampe.
In January 2011, the Indonesian minister of agriculture gave citations to IRRC scientists Grant Singleton and Roland Buresh for their contribution to food security in the country.
At the same time, IRRI and the Indonesia devised a four-year work plan and agreed to focus on the following: varietal development for climate change effects mitigation; national stratregy for hybrid rice development; research on abiotic stresses tolerance; support to implement integrated crop, pest, and resource management; support to disseminate of natural resource management technologies including postharvest technologies; and, support to socioeconomic policy research.
Download the country brochure to know more about various projects and technologies brought by Indonesia-IRRI partnership. Click here for the native-language brochure.
