The Indonesian Agricultural Research and Development Agency (IAARD) and JIRCAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that extends the implementation of joint research based on the agreement signed in 2007. The MOU was signed in April 23, 2019 in conjunction with the visit of Dr. Fadjry Djufry (Director General of IAARD), Dr. Husnain (Director of Indonesia Soil Research Institute, IAARD) and Ir. Erlita Adriani (Director of Indonesia Soil Research Institute, IAARD) to the JIRCAS Headquarters.
Indonesia currently has the world's fourth largest population after China, India and the United States. In order to respond to rapid population growth, it is necessary to develop crop and agricultural technologies that continuously improve yields and facilitate appropriate use of environmentally vulnerable marshes and wetlands. As the world's largest producer of oil palm, there is a need to switch to an environmentally friendly production system.