ibnchannel.id – Delegates from 14 Asian countries representing the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) convened in Bali. They discussed pest control strategies and national soil information systems in order to ensure the sustainability and food security of their respective countries and the Asian region.
Delegations from 14 Asian countries gathered for the AFACI Project Evaluation Workshop on PMP+ and SOIL+ from Tuesday, July 22, to Thursday, July 24, 2025. The evaluation meeting, which coincided with the AFACI workshop, was also attended by representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), FAO experts, and the ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat.
AFACI South Korea conducted the AFACI meeting in Kuta, Bali, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agency for Agricultural Modernization and Assembly (BRMP). The Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea initiated the AFACI program, which has been in operation since 2009. AFACI member countries are implementing a variety of projects targeted at improving food production and attaining sustainable agriculture.
The PMP+ program is a collaborative effort to address important agricultural difficulties, including managing maize armyworm and brown planthopper pests. The PMP+ program is intended to give real-time data on pest infestations via a monitoring system, which may be used to inform early warning systems and make quick and accurate pest control decisions.
The SOIL+ program aims to establish national soil information systems in AFACI member countries. This system enables sustainable soil data management, which serves as a foundation for increasing agricultural productivity, land use efficiency, and the sustainability of food and agriculture systems in the Asian region. Both programs are AFACI’s flagship regional projects.
The meeting in Bali provided a platform for collaboration, innovation sharing, and a demonstration of regional solidarity in Asia. In addition to serving as a technical forum, the meeting brought together leading researchers from each AFACI member country. “By learning from each other and aligning our goals, we can strengthen the AFACI initiative and expand its benefits across member countries,” said Fadjry Djufry, Head of BRMP, at the opening of the AFACI event in Kuta, Badung, on Tuesday.
For Indonesia, according to Fadjry, the AFACI initiative aligns with national priority programs, particularly in strengthening food security. The AFACI forum’s data-driven approach is also considered aligned with the BRMP’s role in promoting agricultural modernization. “With more than 17,000 islands and diverse agro-ecological zones, Indonesia desperately needs a data-driven approach to land management and adaptive farming systems,” Fadjry added.
Through the PMP+ program, AFACI member countries are increasing their capacity and capabilities to monitor and respond to pest attacks more quickly and data-driven. The early warning system developed through this program has the potential to save farmers’ harvests and maintain food security amidst the increasing threat of climate change.
The development of a soil information system through SOIL+ can help member countries manage their land resources more efficiently. With accurate and integrated data, the government can formulate agricultural policies that are more targeted, efficient, and long-term sustainable. Thus, through these two programs, the government and the public, especially farmers, benefit from the availability of more comprehensive and accurate information.
AFACI collaborates with the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) on the PMP+ program. In implementing the SOIL+ program, AFACI receives support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“I hope this event provides an opportunity for us to share research findings and experiences, leading to collective advancements in agricultural technology across Asia,” said AFACI Executive Secretary Seol Kuk-Hwan at the event’s opening.***
