Johor, Malaysia – December 2023 to August 2024 – In a series of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing regional agricultural cooperation and empowering local farmers, Indonesia and Malaysia have embarked on a collaborative journey under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework. The efforts, spearheaded by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and its Malaysian counterparts, have focused on fostering sustainable agricultural practices, improving trade facilitation and building capacity among young farmers in North Sumatra.
December 2023: Official Travel to Johor, Malaysia
The collaboration began with an official visit by an Indonesian delegation to Johor, Malaysia, from December 17-20, 2023. The delegation, comprising nine young farmers from North Sumatra, two officials from the Provincial Plantation and Animal Husbandry Office of North Sumatra, and a representative from the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, participated in the IMT-GT Working Group on Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (WGAA) project.
During the visit, the delegation engaged in discussions with Melbourne Wealth (MW) Group, the Malaysian group of companies, to explore potential business collaborations, particularly in the horticulture sector. The talks highlighted the export potential of North Sumatra’s high-quality agricultural products, including vegetables and plantation yields. Melbourne Wealth (MW) Group expressed interest in visiting Medan in January 2024 to further discuss export-import initiatives, with the Indonesian delegation ready to facilitate future dialogues.
The delegation also met with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, where discussions centred on bilateral trade, investment and the importance of complying with Malaysia’s import regulations along with other related matters concerning both countries.
January 2024: Synchronising Partners Group in North Sumatra
Following the successful visit to Malaysia, the collaboration continued with a business trip to Juma Berlian Exim (JBE) Group in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, on January 17, 2024. The trip aimed to synchronise the partners group between Melbourne Wealth (MW) Group and Juma Berlian Exim (JBE) Group in organising young farmers in North Sumatra to produce high-quality fresh produce for both local and international markets.
The initiative addressed challenges such as intense competition from international importers and the need to improve the commitment and competency of local farmers. The partnership outlined responsibilities for both parties; Indonesian farmers to focus on production and logistics, while partners group MW-JBE to handle marketing and distribution. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was proposed to formalise the collaboration, with a focus on products for lowlands and highlands vegetables.
August 2024: Expanding Partnership to Asahan, North Sumatra
The collaboration extended further with a trip undertaken to explore and expand the partnership between partners group MW-JBE and Ketua Petani Milenial Farmers North Sumatra, based in North Sumatra. The primary objective of the trip was to identify potential areas for collaboration, particularly in the cultivation of lowland commodities in North Sumatra. This is expected to provide economic benefits to the local young farmers through employment and income generation opportunities.
The trip included a visit to Polbangtan Medan, where discussions centred on aligning the Ministry of Agriculture’s existing programs with those of Polbangtan Medan to maximise the impact of the partnership, to provide hands-on learning experiences for students as well as bridging the gap between theories and market practices.
Conclusion: A Sustainable Future for Regional Agriculture
The series of initiatives from December 2023 to August 2024 underscores the commitment of Indonesia and Malaysia to strengthen regional agricultural ties and empower local young farmers. By fostering partnerships, improving trade facilitation and investing in agricultural infrastructure and training, the collaboration aims to create a sustainable and profitable agricultural sector in North Sumatra. These efforts not only enhance the livelihood of local communities, but also position Indonesia as a competitive player in the global agricultural market.
