Recap of economic mission to Indonesia - horticulture track

Notably, over 200 participants attended the horticulture-focused seminar and matchmaking event on 16 June 2025, with continued strong support from stakeholders throughout the following days.

As Indonesia advances its national and regional food strategies, there is a growing need for integrated, climate-resilient, and commercially viable horticultural models. International cooperation (particularly with the Netherlands, known for its strong agri-food expertise) can play a catalytic role in this transformation.

Seminar and thematic discussion

This seminar and discussion took place on 16 June 2025. This brought together government representatives, private sector actors, investor, civil society, and knowledge institutions to explore a shared vision: a horticulture sector that is productive and sustainable.

The seminar was opened by Vice Minister Guido Landheer and then followed by Director General Muhammad Taufiq Ratule. Both of them highlighted their strength and challenges and call for international collaboration to realize the future-proof horticulture sector to reach the shared goal that is healthy food for everyone anytime anywhere.

To highlight the horticulture ecosystem in the Netherlands, Dutch Greenhouse Delta explained the controlled environment agriculture and the use of high-tech which can make the agriculture production more effective, efficient, and sustainable.

DGD also mentioned that Dutch expertise covers every part of the horticultural ecosystem and every part of the supply chain. From Indonesian side, East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) a reputable seed company operating in Indonesia with Dutch roots or collaboration, illustrate the importance of good starting materials as the foundation of a productive and sustainable horticultural sector.

In addition, Al-Ittifaq cooperative, they have successfully meet local vegetable demand, increase rural economic activity, and empower youth through farming.

Thematic discussions on three different subjects

After the seminar, a thematic discussion covered three different subjects was held. Firstly, a discussion regarding ‘Financial Instruments and Funding’ delivered by Invest International, Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Farm fit fund (by IDH Indonesia), Rabo Foundation, World Bank. The contributors presented their initiatives and present examples of innovative financing mechanisms supporting agri-food sector transformation. Contributor may also share challenges, opportunities, and potential collaboration.

Secondly, a discussion on ‘Accelerating Greenhouse Development To Contribute Achieving Food Security And Its Role In The Local Community’ delivered by Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Hoogendorn, FoodVentures, Priva, Municipality of Westland, City of Batu, and BIOPS Agrotekno. They presented the greenhouse technology development and smart growing systems best practices as well as the economic multiplier effect of greenhouse.

Lastly, a discussion on ‘Knowledge Infrastructure, Training & Capacity Building As Enabling Environment Towards Future Proof Horticulture Sector’ delivered by Agriterra, HollandDoor, Nuffic SEA, Wageningen University, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. They addressed the important of human capacity and skills development must go hand in hand with innovation.

In parallel with the thematic discussion, business matchmaking took place. A total of 13 Dutch companies participated in the matchmaking, engaging with 95 Indonesian companies and organizations in total. This provided an opportunity to connect with potential Indonesian partners for future business collaboration.

Visit to Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and EWINDO

On the second day of the mission, the delegation visited Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture office and had a productive meeting with Vice Minister Sudaryono. Vice Minister Sudaryono expressed his interest and strong commitment to work together with the Netherlands. He conveyed a genuine willingness to engage directly with companies active and emphasized his openness to building partnerships that can drive real change. This occasion also featured a symbolic MoU exchange, marking not just the strengthening of relationships but also a commitment to concrete cooperation on the ground. This moment signified a step forward from dialogue to implementation, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation.

After a successful meeting with the vice minister, the delegation headed to EWINDO facility in Purwakarta, West Java. The delegation had a tour around the company’s processing facilities led by Managing Director Glenn Pardede and had a seminar on seed sector development. The contributors of the discussion were Horticulture Seed Department (Ministry of Agriculture), SeedNL, HZPC, Rijk Zwaan and Koppert. One of the key takeaway is that for the broader food security agenda of the Indonesian government, the Netherlands can play a role/ take up an integrated approach to contribute in seed sector development and institutional innovations (public-private collaboration) in Indonesia.

Newly established food production area in North Sumatra

North Sumatra is selected due to strong government interest and its potential as a strategic entry point for introducing and demonstrating Dutch knowledge and technology across Indonesia through combi-track approach. Within the combi-track approach, the Netherlands would like to contribute to the transformation of the horticulture sector in Indonesia to a professional, sustainable and competitive sector that provides employment with a positive impact on the environment. In addition, combining the Netherlands and Indonesian horticultural expertise and technology will create added value that contributes to national food security.

A series of presentations was held at Herbs Horticulture Technology and Science Park (TSTH), covering an introduction to TSTH, the Combi-Track approach, the seed sector development roadmap, followed by remarks from the Vice Minister Michiel Sweers and the Chairman of the National Economic Council Luhut Pandjaitan.

The session concluded with the signing of an Implementing Agreement (IA) by the Vice Minister Guido Landheer and Deputy Food Affairs Nani Hendiarti. This IA is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Agricultural Cooperation that was exchanged and handed over during the Vice Minister of Agriculture earlier meeting. The IA focuses on food systems development in North Sumatra.

After presentations, the delegation visited plots of potatoes, chilies, and garlic within the food production area in Humbang Hasundutan. Significant progress has been made compared to two years ago, indicating the government's serious commitment to developing the area.

The delegation also visited a potato nursery owned by Indonesian agri-food leading company Indofood. The potato nursery was particularly impressive, with around 5 hectares of land. The seed potatoes produced here are distributed to various regions in Indonesia for cultivation and later processed into potato chips. In general, the Indonesian government responded very positively to the visit and expressed hope for timely follow-ups and concrete actions on the ground.

The next day, the delegation headed back to Jakarta for wrapping-up the mission.

Thank you to all contributors

We hope the entire delegation returned home satisfied: with fresh insights, networks, and the sense that there’s so much potential to follow up on. A big thank you to everyone who contributed: whether as participants, speakers, facilitators, business matchmaking participants, institution visit hosts. The mission has resulted in the identification of several follow-up actions and concrete areas for collaboration, which are expected to be pursued and realized in the near future.

More information

You can reach out to the Netherlands Agricultural Network team at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta via jak-lvvn@minbuza.nl for questions about the horticulture sector in Indonesia.