Sustainable rice production that is environmentally responsible is one of the key approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. In pursuit of this goal, the European Union Delegation to Indonesia held a meeting with the East Java Government to discuss potential collaboration in promoting sustainable rice production. The meeting, held on Tuesday (July 1, 2025), was attended by 12 ambassadors and representatives from EU member states, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, and Sweden. The cooperation will be carried out through the SWITCH-Asia Low Carbon Rice Project, aiming to support East Java's transition to environmentally responsible rice production.
The EU-funded SWITCH-Asia Low Carbon Rice Project will assist local rice producers in adopting more sustainable post-harvest practices. One of the key initiatives is to encourage a shift from diesel-powered to electricity-based rice milling systems. This innovation is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13.8% at the milling level, while also lowering energy costs and improving both rice quality and farmers' livelihoods. Previously, the project has supported and mentored 150 rice mills across Central and East Java, including in Ngawi and Madiun regencies in East Java.
