inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman is strengthening the partnership between Indonesia and Australia in developing a modern irrigation system in the Dadahup rice paddy area, Central Kalimantan, to increase productivity and national food security.
"This collaboration is a strategic step to increase swampland productivity while strengthening national food security through the application of more modern technology and water management," said Andi in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/28/2026).
The strengthening of this cooperation was emphasized during a limited bilateral meeting between Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, at the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters in Jakarta.
Andi expressed his appreciation for the Australian Government's support through the Australian Water Partnership (AWP), which facilitated the Expert Mission in the Dadahup area.
According to him, the results of the Australian experts' study further strengthen the belief that Dadahup has great potential to become a model for the development of modern swamp agriculture in Indonesia.
"The results of a study by Australian experts indicate that Dadahup has great potential to become a model for modern swamp agriculture. The recommendations provided are very much in line with Indonesia's priorities of accelerating the increase in the Cropping Index (IP) 300 and strengthening national food security," said Andi.
To accelerate the implementation of these recommendations, Indonesia is promoting five strategic steps: the establishment of a Joint Technical Working Group, the development of the Dadahup Integrated Water Management Masterplan and Roadmap, and the strengthening of farmer-based water management.
Furthermore, human resource capacity building through the use of digital technologies such as telemetry, remote sensing, and decision support systems is being pursued.
Dadahup is also being developed as an Indonesia–Australia Demonstration Project and a living laboratory for modern swamp agriculture.
This collaboration follows a visit by Australian experts to the Dadahup rice paddy field in April 2026. This area is a government focus for developing productive swamp land to increase national food production.
In addition to discussing the development of Dadahup, the bilateral meeting also resulted in a commitment to strengthen agricultural trade between Indonesia and Australia.
In the livestock sector, Andi also requested Australia's support in maintaining the availability of live cattle supplies to Indonesia to meet national needs.
Going forward, Indonesia and Australia have agreed to expand cooperation in investment, research, innovation, human resource development, and fertilizers to support resilient and sustainable agricultural development.
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