TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Quarantine Authority (Barantin) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Indonesia launched today, July 7, a US$200,000 program to strengthen the country’s animal quarantine system, aiming to prevent the entry and spread of animal diseases and other agricultural threats amid increasing global trade.
Through the program, Barantin and FAO will be working together to enhance the risk management of Indonesia’s animal quarantine system by accurately mapping disease entry pathways using an integrated and science-based approach. Strengthening Indonesia’s animal quarantine is increasingly urgent to swiftly prevent, detect, control, and respond to animal quarantine pests and diseases, transboundary animal diseases that can spread rapidly among animals, zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and invasive alien species that can put Indonesia's biodiversity at risk.
These animal health risks may trigger a domino effect with serious implications on public health, food security, and the national economy. At least 13 million households in Indonesia rely on the livestock sector for their livelihoods, according to 2023 data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
Abdul Kadir Karding, Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority, said that the quarantine system must be transformed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global trade. Karding said that strengthening oversight solely at points of entry and exit is insufficient; it must be supported by accurate risk analysis, the use of digital technology, and data-driven decision-making.
"Barantin does not wish to become an obstacle or a bottleneck at the border. However, acceleration of the flow of goods must not come at the expense of our biosecurity. A modern, data-driven risk management approach that is aligned with international standards is key to protecting food security while simultaneously boosting national economic efficiency," said Karding during the program's inception workshop in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7.
Despite its advancements, Indonesia’s animal quarantine system still grapples with various challenges, from fragmented data and limited integration of surveillance results to the absence of a risk assessment framework that follows international standards. The program, entitled “Strengthening animal quarantine risk management through integrated assessment and response towards agri-threats”, covers a range of interventions to address these barriers.
First, it will equip national quarantine officers with standardized competencies in mapping and managing animal quarantine pest and disease risks. Second, the program will develop an integrated application to monitor animal quarantine pest and disease risks, conduct surveillance mapping, and provide early warnings—enabling authorities to develop policies based on disease risk data and epidemiological trends. Third, the program will also equip the public and local communities with the capacity to mitigate and prevent animal quarantine pest and disease risks through public awareness campaigns.
FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rajendra Aryal, emphasized the need for a One Health approach to address these challenges, meaning that concerted efforts must acknowledge the interconnectedness of animal health with the health of humans, plants, and the broader ecosystems. This requires cross-sectoral coordination, including community engagement in early warning and preparedness efforts.
“Animal quarantine system is as a critical frontline defence against these risks. FAO is committed to supporting Barantin in strengthening its quarantine and risk analysis capacities by utilizing digital technologies. Beyond safeguarding animal health and global trade security, improving quarantine system is expected to protect public health and the wider ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods of millions of Indonesians,” Rajendra said.
The program is implemented through FAO’s Technical Cooperation Program modality, which aims to provide technical assistance in response to a member country's most urgent needs.
Representatives from various ministries and agencies, academia, professional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders attended the inception workshop, where they agreed on the programme’s implementation direction, framework, and planned activities to be executed throughout the project period of 2026 - 2028.
This strong cross-sectoral synergy is expected to mark a transformative step toward establishing a world-class quarantine, offering not only streamlined logistic systems but also robust protection to national food security, public health, and the economy.
Read: Indonesia Pushes for Stronger Food Cooperation with Australia
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