12/05/2026
DFNet 2026 Indonesia Workshop Advances Climate-Resilient Tropical Fruit Collaboration
⭕Workshop highlights field demonstration, guidebook development, and future application-oriented cooperation
📆Jakarta, Karawang, Cibinong, and Bogor, Indonesia — April 27–29, 2026
The Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region (FFTC), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the National Food Agency (NFA) of Indonesia jointly organized the Tropical Fruit Consortium 2026 (Indonesia) – Regional Dialogue on Climate-Resilient Fruit Systems, DFNet Impacts and Future Collaboration from April 27 to 29, 2026.
The workshop brought together approximately 80 participants, including 24 DFNet core group members and representatives of the 10 DFNet member countries: India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Invited speakers, Indonesian researchers, government representatives, FFTC staff, and local stakeholders also joined the program.
This workshop was especially significant as FFTC’s first activity in Indonesia in the past 15 years. During the event, FFTC and the Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, BRIN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking an important institutional milestone and strengthening the basis for future cooperation.
⭕Field Visits Showcase Climate-Adaptive Production and Agribusiness Models
During the first two days, participants visited selected field sites and agribusiness operations in Karawang and Bogor. The visits included PT Mitra Agro Bisnis banana farm in Kopyor, Bogor; Gadog Aloe Vera Farm and Gadog Durian Farm; and Kebun Petik Tenjo.
The field visits introduced different models of tropical fruit production and value-chain development, including integrated banana production, research-based , smallholder aloe vera production, high-value durian orchard management, and containerized fruit cultivation. These cases demonstrated how climate adaptation can be linked with irrigation, soil and water management, reliable planting materials, postharvest handling, quality control, market access, and farmer training.
⭕Forum Tackled Knowledge Translation, Research Innovation, and Country Experiences
The forum program was held at BRIN in Cibinong, Bogor. Invited presentations highlighted both farmer-centered adaptation and research-based innovation. Prof. Awang Maharijaya of IPB University emphasized the importance of closing the knowledge–action gap through farmer education, participatory methods, demonstration plots, indigenous knowledge, and Geographical Indications. Dr. Dwinita Wikan Utami of BRIN introduced Indonesia’s research and innovation efforts in genetic resources, seed technology, plant protection, smart cultivation, postharvest management, and horticultural big data.
Country reports from Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, India, and Indonesia reviewed DFNet impacts and identified priority topics for future collaboration. Common interests included climate-smart water and soil management, pest and disease management, flowering and canopy management, postharvest quality, climate-resilient varieties and rootstocks, digital tools, farmer AI literacy, and practical demonstration and training models.
⭕Guidebook Review and Phase IV Discussion Point to Future Collaboration
A major focus of the workshop was the DFNet country crop guidebook series. Participants discussed how the guidebooks can support country-specific adaptation, cross-country comparison, farmer training, extension materials, and future technical exchange. FFTC will coordinate the final review, synthesis, publication, and online dissemination of the guidebook series through the DFNet project website.
The final discussion explored the future direction of DFNet Phase IV. Participants discussed a shift from broad regional workshops toward more focused bilateral or trilateral collaboration with committed partners, field demonstration sites, farmer training, and practical implementation outputs. Future collaboration will aim to improve farmer productivity, highlight public–private partnerships, and explore economic impacts and business opportunities in the fruit industry. Demonstration plots or technology showcases may also be linked with training on the responsible and practical use of generative AI for agriculture.
The workshop reaffirmed FFTC-DFNet’s role as a regional platform for connecting science, policy, extension, farmers, and agribusiness actors. It also generated important inputs for a Phase IV concept note, supporting future discussion on application-oriented collaboration for climate-resilient tropical fruit systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
