Javanese women planting rice in a ricefield near Prambanan, Yogyakarta. (image: Public Domain)
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — To help Indonesia’s quest for food self-sufficiency, South Korea will extend technology support in agricultural machinery, including the development of tractors tailored to the local environment.
In an online seminar held on Thursday, the Indonesian Office of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) unveiled plans to establish an agricultural machinery technology support center in Indonesia in collaboration with the Jeonbuk Technopark.
Despite having suitable conditions for rice double cropping, the Southeast Asian country has imported rice every year due to a shortage of rice production.
“In many cases, Indonesia’s rice fields are swamplands where it’s easy to get stuck in mud,” said Lee Sang-dae, a senior researcher at the KIIT.
“Based on such local circumstances, local farmers require customized tractors that do not easily get stuck in mud, and would benefit from a greater adoption of biodiesel fuels.”
Once established as an official development assistance (ODA) project, the center could promote bilateral R&D cooperation for the improvement of agricultural machinery, including tractors, while paving the way for Korean companies to participate in joint ventures or export major components.
In addition, the center could contribute to enhancing the awareness about South Korean-made agricultural machinery since it will be engaged in the nurturing of an after-sales service workforce and the training of local farmers on how to use agricultural machinery.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
