Indonesia's transmigration minister seeks Chinese partnership for modern agriculture

Indonesia's transmigration minister, Suryanagara, accepted an invitation from Beijing to study Chinese expertise in agricultural technology, investment and human-resource development, targeting new economic hubs beyond Java. In an official statement, he said the goal is to replicate China's blend of agriculture, infrastructure and industrial growth to turn transmigration areas into productive, job-creating centres. Scheduled meetings include China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center, focusing on modern cultivation, processing, market access and skill training.

Potential pilot commodities span durian in Central Sulawesi, dwarf coconut in East Nusa Tenggara, coconut in North Maluku, and rice, cocoa, coffee and sugarcane in Papua. Suryanagara will also deliver a lecture at the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, Peking University, emphasizing value-added processing and local employment. The initiative seeks to keep more product value within Indonesia and boost regional incomes.