2025-3-18

The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) was recently invited by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to cooperate on strengthening agricultural development and food security in West Java, Indonesia. Toward that end, the two agencies jointly attended an agricultural marketing business matching event hosted by Bank Indonesia in Bandung City on March 12. The event attracted representatives from over 24 farmers’ associations and 22 buyers in West Java, marking a significant milestone in Taiwan-Japan agricultural cooperation in Indonesia.

At the event, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Indonesia provided technical consultation, leveraging nearly 50 years of local experience to assist farmers in improving cultivation techniques and accessing high-end markets. The mission also offered on-site market analysis and proposed solutions to address production and sales challenges faced by Indonesian farmers.

During the discussions, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Indonesia, JICA, and Bank Indonesia explored Indonesia’s current agricultural landscape and potential future collaboration models. They exchanged insights on three key aspects: market access, technological advancements, and financial resource integration. Through these efforts, the parties aim to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian agricultural products and increase farmers' incomes.

Taiwan Technical Mission in Indonesia head Dennis Kao said that in January and February, the TaiwanICDF and JICA visited project sites together to understand the strengths and differences of Taiwan and Japan’s agricultural extension models. Tsutomu Nishimura, head of JICA’s Agricultural Product Marketing and Distribution System Enhancement Project, said that Taiwan’s centralized collection and distribution system can effectively help farmers achieve stable income growth. He expressed hope that deeper collaboration between Taiwan and Japan will enable more farmer groups in West Java to access premium markets.

Deputy head of Bank Indonesia’s West Java Branch, Cecep Ridwan, said that although the digitalization of Indonesia’s agricultural systems is still in its early stages, it holds great potential. He said that he looks forward to further cooperation with Taiwan and Japan to introduce advanced agricultural technologies and expertise, helping West Java farmers establish a stable and competitive agricultural market while achieving sustainable agricultural development.

TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Hsieh Pei-fen stated that the attendance of all three parties at the event demonstrated the commitment of Taiwan, Indonesia, and Japan to creating business opportunities and improving farmers’ livelihoods. The TaiwanICDF will continue strengthening collaboration with various sectors in Indonesia, providing comprehensive support to local farmers, and further expanding the achievements of Taiwan-Indonesia agricultural cooperation.