Malaysian Delegates Explore Indonesian Agroforestry Practices Through Learning Visit in FBiPK UB East Java

KETIK, MALANG – A group of 20 delegates from Malaysia participated in an international learning visit titled “Exploring Indonesian Agroforestry: A Learning Visit for Malaysian Delegates on Science, Policy, and Field Practices in East Java.” The program was organized by the Tropical Agroforestry Research Group under the Faculty of Bio-industry of Agriculture and Agroforestry, Universitas Brawijaya, as part of efforts to strengthen regional collaboration in sustainable agroforestry development.

The learning visit aimed to provide Malaysian participants with comprehensive insights into the development and implementation of agroforestry systems in Indonesia, particularly in East Java. The program combined academic presentations, policy discussions, and direct field experiences in several agroforestry landscapes, including UB Forest and coffee-based agroforestry systems in Ngantang within the Kali Konto watershed.

The delegation represented a wide range of institutions and industries in Malaysia, including governmental agencies, forestry and agricultural offices, agroforestry enterprises, and private-sector organizations. Among the participating institutions were Golden Pharos Berhad, GP Agroforestry Sdn. Bhd., Alamsari Raya Sdn. Bhd., the State Agriculture Office, the State Economic Planning Unit, and the Terengganu State Forestry Department. The participants consisted of board members, senior managers, forestry and agriculture officers, environmental planners, regenerative agriculture practitioners, and an academic consultant from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Throughout the program, participants explored various dimensions of Indonesian agroforestry systems, ranging from scientific concepts and policy frameworks to landscape management strategies and practical field implementation. Discussions also highlighted agroforestry design, biodiversity conservation, post-harvest management, and the integration of ecological and socio-economic considerations in sustainable land-use practices.

Field visits became one of the key highlights of the activity, allowing delegates to directly observe how local communities and institutions manage agroforestry systems under different environmental conditions. The participants also gained practical understanding of coffee-based agroforestry practices and watershed management approaches that contribute to both environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods.

Representatives from the Tropical Agroforestry Research Group emphasized that the program served not only as an academic exchange but also as a platform for strengthening long-term institutional partnerships between Indonesia and Malaysia.

“This learning visit demonstrates the importance of collaborative knowledge exchange in advancing sustainable agroforestry systems across Southeast Asia. Through direct interaction between researchers, practitioners, government agencies, and private-sector stakeholders, we hope to foster future cooperation in research, policy development, and field implementation,” the organizing committee stated.

The Malaysian delegates also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from Indonesia’s agroforestry experiences. According to several participants, the combination of scientific discussions and field exposure provided valuable lessons that could be adapted to agroforestry development initiatives in Malaysia.

Through this activity, both Indonesian and Malaysian stakeholders are expected to strengthen regional cooperation in promoting resilient, productive, and environmentally sustainable agroforestry systems that support ecological conservation, food security, and community welfare.