BRIN Focuses On Food Research, Energy, Air Controls Government Programs

JAKARTA - Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Prof. Arif Satria said he would direct BRIN to focus on research and development in the fields of food, energy and water which are part of the government's priority programs.

Arif will soon consolidate with various parties, including related ministries and institutions, universities, industry, and local governments to carry out research and innovation programs in the three priority sectors.

"God willing, BRIN will oversee priority programs from the President regarding food, energy, and water. I think those three areas need to be supported by good research and innovation, because this research and innovation will be the foundation. Wherever countries have the power of research and innovation, it will be positively correlated with economic progress," said Arif Satria as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, November 11.

Arif Satria was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto as Head of BRIN at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday afternoon, replacing Laksana Tri Handoko.

The inauguration of Arif Satria, who when inaugurated was still the Chancellor of IPB, was stipulated in Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 123/P of 2025 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Head and Deputy Head of BRIN.

Arif Satria continued for the food sector, for example, the research and innovation targets can cover agriculture-related (on-farm) and agriculture-off-farm areas.

"So, starting from the matter of seeds, about fertilizers, about cultivation techniques, post-harvest issues, about processing. There are so many. There are so many food issues. Now the President is asking for food, so we have to guard it," said Arif Satria.

Meanwhile, in the near future, Arif explained that to focus on ideas and build innovations in the fields of food, energy, and water, BRIN will increase the number of researchers in related areas, improve the quality of researchers, raise more research funds, build research infrastructure, and strengthen the research ecosystem.

"So, that's what we will encourage. We must also increase the number of researchers, because the number of our researchers is relatively a million population, relatively smaller than other countries, compared to Thailand, South Korea, we are still far away," said Arif.

In order to make this happen, Arif emphasized the importance of having a system to attract researchers.

"So, we will strengthen management talents in the field of research. Those who have passions in the field of research will become capital for BRIN and also for ministries to be able to go faster and further, because they work with passions. We already have tools on how to find superior talents in the research sector," said Arif Satria.