Jakarta, INTI – 1, September, 2025. The limited food irradiation facilities in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) have long forced many local products to be processed outside the region before export. To address this challenge, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has come forward with a solution through a collaboration with the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan. This initiative is expected to accelerate distribution, maintain product quality, and enhance competitiveness in the global market.
BRIN and East Kalimantan Provincial Government Meeting
The visit of Syaiful Bakhri, Head of BRIN’s Nuclear Energy Research Organization (ORTN), to the East Kalimantan Governor’s Office on Monday (1/9) was welcomed by Vice Governor H. Seno Aji. The meeting served as an introduction and socialization of food and health irradiation technology, which is considered to bring wide-ranging benefits to both the public and local businesses.
According to Syaiful, irradiation technology can extend shelf life, maintain product quality, and open greater export opportunities. “Our hope is for BRIN and BRIDA East Kalimantan to continue working together in advancing this technology,” he said.
Support from the Regional Government
Head of BRIDA East Kalimantan, Fitriansyah, explained that the collaboration between BRIN and the provincial government in nuclear research has been ongoing for quite some time. Both parties have even conducted feasibility studies related to the construction of an irradiator facility in the region.
Vice Governor Seno Aji reaffirmed the government’s full support for BRIN’s initiative. “We fully welcome this initiative. The irradiation facility will add value to local products and support an increase in regional revenue. This way, East Kalimantan’s leading products can be exported directly without going through Surabaya,” he said.
Potential of Local Products and Downstreaming
So far, East Kalimantan’s key commodities such as fish, kratom, cocoa from Berau, and kepok bananas from East Kutai still need to undergo irradiation processes outside the region. With a facility in East Kalimantan, export distribution will become more efficient, giving local products a greater chance to compete in international markets.
Beyond the food sector, Vice Governor Seno also highlighted the potential for developing other natural resources such as rare earth elements (REE) and thorium, which could support future nuclear technology research. “East Kalimantan has abundant raw materials. With support from BRIN and BRIDA, nuclear development here will be easier to realize,” he emphasized.
Conclusion
BRIN’s efforts to promote irradiation technology in East Kalimantan represent not only research downstreaming but also a strategic step to strengthen national food security while boosting regional products’ competitiveness on the global stage. With strong synergy between central and local governments, East Kalimantan has the potential to become one of Indonesia’s centers of applied nuclear technology innovation.
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