Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) together with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap) Regency Government are strengthening international cooperation in supporting the development of porang (Amorphophallus muelleri) as a value-added agricultural commodity in South Sulawesi. This collaboration involves academics, local governments, industry players, and farmers to develop an integrated porang value chain, from cultivation and post-harvest management to processing and expanding market access, on Wednesday (July 8).
This collaboration strengthens the connection between university research findings and the needs of farmers, industry, and regional development. As part of a series of activities, representatives from UNHAS and UTM held discussions with the Sidrap Regency Government to identify opportunities for collaborative research and technology development in the porang sector. The meeting also discussed Sidrap’s potential to strengthen its role as a porang production center through improved cultivation practices, product development, and processing.
In addition to the discussion, the UNHAS and UTM delegations conducted field visits to several porang cultivation sites and processing facilities in Sidrap. These visits provided an opportunity to observe production conditions firsthand and interact with farmers. The visits to the processing facilities also provided an overview of post-harvest handling processes and the challenges in producing porang products with added value and ready for marketing.
The collaboration with UTM is expected to open broader opportunities for knowledge exchange, joint research, innovation, and market development. Cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia through the development of porang-based products can also provide a platform to explore the potential of this commodity in Southeast Asian and international markets.
In addition to focusing on commodity development, this collaboration demonstrates the role of university partnerships in supporting regional development. The synergy between academic expertise, government support, industry involvement, and farmer knowledge is expected to foster a sustainable and competitive porang value chain, while contributing to regional economic development and farmer welfare. This initiative supports several Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging the strengthening of international partnerships and the application of academic collaboration outcomes to support sustainable agriculture, food innovation, and community empowerment.