BPOM and Agriculture Ministry Collaborate to Enhance Agricultural Product Quality and Competitiveness

On February 5, 2025, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman convened to discuss strategic issues concerning food derived from animals and plants, as well as natural medicinal products. This meeting underscored the ongoing collaboration between the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) in ensuring the safety, quality, and competitiveness of Indonesia's agricultural products.

Renewal of Collaborative Agreement

Previously, BPOM and Kementan had established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on the supervision of drugs, veterinary medicines, and food to enhance the safety, quality, and competitiveness of agricultural products. This agreement concluded in January 2025. Expressing gratitude for the fruitful partnership, Taruna Ikrar emphasized the importance of continuing this collaboration. He stated, "We are committed to strengthening synergy with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the safety and quality of food products and medicines, including veterinary drugs. This collaboration is crucial to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian agricultural products in both domestic and international markets."

Focus Areas of Collaboration

The partnership between BPOM and Kementan has been instrumental in various areas, including:

• Export Facilitation and Market Access: The two agencies have worked together to facilitate exports, open market access for food products, and address export rejections and related issues.
• Supervision of Natural Medicinal Products: BPOM seeks continued support from Kementan in overseeing natural medicinal products to ensure their safety and efficacy.

During the meeting, Taruna Ikrar was accompanied by key BPOM officials, including Secretary Jayadi, Inspector General Yan Setiadi, and several deputies overseeing various sectors such as drug supervision, traditional medicines, processed foods, and enforcement.

Commitment to Ongoing Partnership

Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman welcomed the continuation of the partnership with BPOM. The discussions are set to be formalized into a renewed cooperation agreement encompassing various aspects of food and drug supervision. The synergy between BPOM and Kementan aims to strengthen Indonesia's food and drug monitoring systems, thereby boosting the global competitiveness of the nation's agricultural products.

This renewed collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing Indonesia's agricultural sector through stringent oversight and quality assurance, ensuring that products meet international standards and are competitive in the global market.