Netherlands and Indonesia Launch Seed Sector Working Group
The nations are collaborating to improve farmers' access to high-quality seeds through a new strategic working group.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Botany
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The Netherlands and Indonesia have launched the Strategic Seed Sector Working Group to address development bottlenecks and improve access to quality seeds. The joint effort includes field trials and a ten-year development roadmap.
Why it matters
Indonesia currently lacks an integrated national policy to guide its seed sector, hindering efficient development. This partnership aims to bridge that gap by coordinating resources and expertise to support local farmers.
The initiative spans an 18-month cooperation period, testing vegetable and potato varieties through trials in Jakarta and North Sumatra. Researchers at Wageningen University & Research are leading the field testing phase.
The players
Dr. Mochamad Saleh Nugrahadi
He serves as a co-chair of the Strategic Seed Sector Working Group.
Ester Kruk
She serves as a co-chair of the Strategic Seed Sector Working Group.
Wageningen University & Research
This Dutch institution provides technical expertise for the implementation of the cooperation project.
SeedNL
This organization facilitates the collaborative activities between Dutch and Indonesian seed sector stakeholders.
The details
The working group serves as a platform for SeedNL and regional stakeholders to coordinate activities and trial new crop varieties under diverse Indonesian growing conditions. Participating industry partners include HZPC, Rijk Zwaan, Bejo, and East-West Seed Indonesia.
Timeline
The cooperation project began in January 2026.
Stakeholder consultations took place in Jakarta and North Sumatra in October 2026.
The initial draft of the Seed Sector Roadmap is scheduled for January 2027.
Finalization of the Seed Sector Roadmap is expected in March-April 2027.
The cooperation project is scheduled to conclude in June 2027.
The Big Picture
This project mirrors the Wageningen University & Research global food security initiatives that prioritize long-term agricultural resilience. It marks a shift toward integrating specialized international research data into national policy frameworks.
Improved access to high-quality vegetable and potato seeds could significantly increase agricultural yields for local producers. These advancements have the potential to stabilize food supply chains and enhance crop variety availability in the region.
The takeaway
Collaborative international research projects help bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical field implementation. Establishing long-term policy frameworks is essential for creating sustainable agricultural growth in emerging economies.
What happens next
The project participants are scheduled to release an initial draft of the Seed Sector Roadmap in January 2027, followed by a final version expected between March and April 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about agricultural advancements in our Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agroberichtenbuitenland.
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