Bridging knowledge and technology: Indonesia’s path to sustainable agriculture
Nofalia Nurfitriani has been part of the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta for two years. Though still relatively new compared to her colleagues, she brings a wealth of academic and professional experience to her role as Agricultural Advisor. With a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Universitas Padjadjaran and a master's degree in Development Studies from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Nofalia has built a foundation in agriculture, food, and environmental studies that perfectly aligns with her responsibilities at the Embassy.
Prior to joining the Embassy, Nofalia gained diverse experience working as an assistant lecturer, a researcher at an NGO in Bandung, and at the financial services authority in Jakarta. Her motivation for joining the Embassy stemmed from a desire to expand her horizons and gain experience in an international setting. ‘Previously, I worked mainly at the local and national levels,’ she explains. ‘Working for the embassy has allowed me to operate on a global platform and contribute to bridging Indonesia’s needs with Dutch expertise.’
Regional collaboration team across Southeast Asia
In Jakarta Nofalia works closely with Agricultural Counsellor Joost van Uum and Agricultural Officer Vani Liesyoani Eman. But the Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) team’s responsibilities extend beyond Indonesia including Malaysia and Singapore. The complete team consists of two more colleagues Li Huan Hoh and Lucas Jiang, Agricultural Advisors at the Dutch embassies in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, respectively.
‘We meet online bi-weekly to update each other on our work and discuss potential collaborations across the region,’ says Nofalia. This regional approach is essential, as many initiatives, such as last month’s Agri-Food Tech Expo in Singapore, span multiple countries. At the Expo, the team connected Dutch companies with opportunities in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, showcasing their integrated efforts.
Another example of their regional collaboration was inviting Indonesian government representatives to attend a workshop on pesticide-free agriculture organized by the LAN team in Malaysia, where Dutch experts shared their technologies and solutions. ‘Next year, we are planning more joint events across the region to strengthen ties and align strategies,’ Nofalia shares.
A diverse role in agriculture
As an Agricultural Advisor, Nofalia’s role is extensive and dynamic. She works at the government-to-government (G2G) level, coordinating with Indonesian ministries on policy alignment and finalizing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
‘I support Dutch businesses entering the Indonesian market by addressing trade barriers and organizing joint events,’ she says. ‘I also engage with Dutch knowledge institutions and civil society organizations to conduct research and implement projects on the ground.’ Her work spans policy, business, research, and project implementation, making her role a cornerstone in fostering collaboration between the Netherlands and Indonesia.
One notable example of her work involves supporting Dutch greenhouse horticulture companies like FoodVentures, which are exploring investments in Indonesia. ‘Greenhouse technology is underdeveloped here,’ she explains. ‘While there are greenhouses, they are mostly low or mid-tech. This is where Dutch high-tech solutions can make a significant impact.’
She also collaborates with Dutch knowledge institutions like Wageningen University (WUR) and Van Hall Larenstein (VHL) on sustainability projects, such as researching sustainable palm oil practices. Additionally, Nofalia supports organizations like Agriterra in developing farmer cooperatives in Indonesia, further strengthening local agricultural systems.
Addressing Indonesia’s agricultural challenges
Indonesia’s agriculture sector faces significant challenges. ‘With a population of 280 million, ensuring food security is a monumental task, especially as agricultural land continues to shrink and the farming population ages,’ says Nofalia. Following the inauguration of a new government in October 2024, food security has become a top priority.
‘The government is focused on meeting basic needs through increased domestic production,’ she goes on. ‘This requires more efficient agricultural practices, innovation, and technology - areas where the Netherlands excels.’
Sustainability and climate change are also pressing issues. ‘Indonesia is promoting sustainable practices like agroforestry and smart farming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture,’ she notes. Initiatives like these aim to maintain soil health, reduce emissions, and conserve water while balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.
‘Feeding 280 million people is a daunting task, especially as agricultural land continues to shrink and the farming population ages’
Future-focused initiatives and missions
Looking ahead, Nofalia highlights two upcoming missions planned for 2025. The first is a trade mission in February focused on geodata and earth observation solutions, involving several Dutch companies. This trade mission that takes place from 24 till 27 February will focus on leveraging open-access satellite data and geodata to drive sustainable, climate-resilient agri-food sector both in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The second mission, scheduled for 16-19 June 2025, will focus on agri-food, water management and maritime, led by Reinette Klever, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development. More information will be available in two weeks.
Nofalia also emphasizes the importance of digitalization in Indonesia’s agri-food sector. ‘Digital tools are enabling better outcomes across the production and support chains,’ she says. Recent initiatives include implementing e-licensing systems for sustainable timber and phytosanitary processes, supported by Dutch experts like Lex Moret of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Additionally, the Netherlands has supported the digitization of land registration systems in Indonesia, with Kadaster NL acting as the implementing partner.
Key sustainability projects
The Dutch Embassy’s activities in Indonesia are deeply rooted in sustainability. In the horticulture sector, efforts are focused on both closed and open cultivation systems. Nofalia: ‘For closed cultivation, we’re introducing advanced Dutch greenhouse technology. For open cultivation, we’re establishing a center of excellence to showcase Dutch technology and facilitate knowledge exchange.’
In the area of biodiversity, two major initiatives stand out: agroforestry and sustainable palm oil.
- Agroforestry: the Embassy recently organized a workshop together with Tropenbos Indonesia that brought together experts to develop recommendations for making agroforestry both ecologically and economically sustainable. Nofalia: ‘We’re also exploring how agroforestry can contribute to carbon sequestration, linking it to carbon credits and markets.’
- Sustainable palm oil: the Embassy supports projects like NISCOPS (National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate Smart Oil Palm Smallholders), SustainPalm, and a comparative vegetable oil study. These initiatives aim to improve farmers’ livelihoods, enhance climate adaptation and mitigation, and align practices with the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR).
- NISCOPS 2nd phase: a five-year initiative supported by funding from the Dutch and UK governments, aiming to promote climate-smart agricultural practices for smallholder farmers, with IDH and Solidaridad serving as implementing partners.
- SustainPalm: in collaboration with Dutch universities (WUR and VHL) and Indonesian universities (IPB and ULM), this initiative emphasizes knowledge exchange and technological innovation.
- Comparative Vegetable Oil Study: conducted by WUR, this study compares the efficiency of palm oil, rapeseed, and soybean production globally.
‘Indonesia is increasingly looking to the Netherlands for innovation and technology to achieve its food security and sustainability goals’
Building knowledge infrastructure
The Embassy’s commitment to knowledge infrastructure is a cornerstone of its strategy. ‘The Netherlands doesn’t only promote technology but also invests in creating an enabling environment for businesses through initiatives like the jointly developed Living Labs with Nuffic,’ Nofalia explains. These labs bring together private sector players and students to collaborate on solving business challenges, attracting significant attention in Indonesia.
A vision for collaboration
Reflecting on her role, Nofalia is optimistic about the growing partnership between Indonesia and the Netherlands. ‘Indonesia is increasingly looking to the Netherlands for innovation and technology to achieve its food security and sustainability goals,’ she says. ‘The collaboration spans across sectors, from sustainable horticulture and agroforestry to digital transformation.’
With her extensive academic and professional background, coupled with her passion for sustainable development, Nofalia is a key figure in bridging the gap between Indonesia’s agricultural needs and Dutch expertise. ‘Our work is about more than just business,’ she concludes. ‘It’s about creating a sustainable future for generations to come.’
Contact
- Email: jak-lvvn@minbuza.nl
- Telephone: +62 21 524 8200
- X: @AgriNL_InMalSin