Indonesia-Russia Collaboration: Nuclear Technology Innovations for Health and Agriculture

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:02 | Health Technology | Editorial INTI

Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia continues to demonstrate its commitment to nuclear technology development through a strategic partnership with Russia. In an effort to expand nuclear applications in the health and agricultural sectors, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has partnered with Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation. This collaboration aims to enhance radioisotope production and foster innovation in healthcare and agriculture.

This initiative highlights Indonesia's role not only as a technology user but also as an active participant in scientific advancement and innovation to improve societal well-being.

History of Nuclear Technology Utilization in Indonesia

The use of nuclear technology in Indonesia dates back to 1954 when President Ir. Soekarno established a committee to study the impacts and applications of nuclear energy. Since then, Indonesia has developed three research reactors to support nuclear fuel research, neutron radiography, and radioisotope production:

Bandung Reactor (1965), West Java, with a capacity of 2 MWth.
Kartini Reactor (1979), Yogyakarta, with a capacity of 100 KWth.
G.A. Siwabessy Reactor (1987), Serpong, with a capacity of 30 MWth.

Nuclear Applications in Healthcare and Agriculture

Currently, Indonesia primarily utilizes nuclear technology for non-energy purposes, such as radioisotope production for medical applications and research in the agricultural sector. One key strategic initiative is the development of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment, which is expected to enhance the effectiveness of domestic medical treatments.

In agriculture, nuclear technology has contributed to the development of high-yield crop varieties. Since 2013, Indonesia has collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop 23 improved rice varieties. These efforts have earned international recognition, including the FAO/IAEA Outstanding Achievement Award.

BRIN and Rosatom Collaboration: Advancing Nuclear Innovation

On October 9, 2024, BRIN and Rosatom held the 2nd Joint Working Group Meeting on Non-Energy Nuclear Technology Applications at the B.J. Habibie Science and Technology Park in South Tangerang. The primary focus of this collaboration includes:

Production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment.
Nuclear technology applications in agriculture, including radiation mutation techniques to develop superior crop varieties.
Nuclear waste management and research reactor decommissioning.

According to Anna Belokoneva, Head of Rosatom’s Regional Office in Indonesia, Russia possesses nuclear technologies that can be adapted to enhance food security and healthcare services in Indonesia.

Preparing the Next Generation of Nuclear Talent

As part of its human resource development strategy, BRIN and Rosatom organized the Nuclear Young Talent Fest 2024 in Yogyakarta and Serpong from October 14-17, 2024. This event aims to identify Indonesian research and innovation talents for collaboration with universities and research institutions in Russia.

Additionally, BRIN has partnered with Tomsk Polytechnic University for a Degree by Research (DbR) program, with four Ph.D. students and one master's student currently pursuing their education in Russia. Moving forward, BRIN plans to launch the second phase of this program while also offering other support mechanisms such as joint research visits, postdoctoral fellowships, and doctoral scholarships for national research talents.

Conclusion

The Indonesia-Russia collaboration in nuclear technology development marks a significant milestone in advancing innovation for healthcare and agriculture. By leveraging Russia’s expertise and Indonesia’s growing research capabilities, this partnership has the potential to drive groundbreaking advancements in radioisotope production, agricultural resilience, and medical treatments.

Furthermore, investments in nuclear science education and talent development will ensure Indonesia remains at the forefront of nuclear research and application. With the synergy between BRIN, Rosatom, and academic institutions, the future of nuclear technology in Indonesia looks promising—paving the way for sustainable development and greater societal benefits.

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