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Indonesia’s Agriculture Industry Slowly Embraces More Sustainable Options

September 22

15min read

Over the years, the world has continued to ramp up regulations on the use of hazardous chemicals in pesticides. Since the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), which aims to limit the use of chemical pollutants including in pesticides, entered into effect in 2004, its list of substances to be eliminated or prohibited has grown. Since then, many countries in the world have taken a harsher stance against the use of hazardous chemicals across industries. Last year, the European Union (EU) made a commitment to review its export regulation for hazardous chemicals that are banned in EU, potentially further limiting the availability of these chemicals elsewhere.

While the agriculture sector is somewhat slower in moving toward more sustainable approach compared to its chemicals-reliant counterparts such as the packaging and coating sectors, progress has started to be seen. Over the years, EU has put numerous regulations and programs in place on the use of chemicals in pesticides. While the United States is considered to lag behind on this front, its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ruled for the banning of chlorpyrifos due to health concerns.  

It is clear that it is time for the agriculture sector to catch up with the sustainability movement that has been gaining traction all over the world. For agriculture, this means eliminating harmful chemicals and shifting to green solvent. While the developed world has embraced this through more rigorous regulations and a growing ban list, adoption has been slower in developing countries. They account for 25% of global pesticide use and demand continues to rise in that part of the world even as it declines in the EU. 

A similar trend is seen in Indonesia, but it is predicted to shift in near future. The Indonesian government has begun a more aggressive push for nation-wide adoption of safer and more environmentally friendly pesticide through a crackdown on illegal pesticides. In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a stricter regulation on pesticide registration, which is hoped to improve its distribution to help minimize the negative health and environmental  ramifications.

As a specialty chemicals distributor in the agriculture industry, Bahtera has also seen this shift. While the high price tag of green solvent and lack of awareness have been the biggest barrier for its adoption, technological advancement and growing sustainability consciousness in the industry will drive the transformation moving forward. 

In recent years, we have seen more multinational companies switching to green solvent and adopting international standard for pesticide ingredients. As local players begin to adopt this trend, water-based Suspension Concentrate (SC) and oil-based Oil Dispersion (OD) will slowly grow in popularity replacing Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC).  

At this rate, moving toward sustainable pesticide is not only inevitable, but also necessary. The products are available in the country. Leading chemical providers such as BASF have made available various green solvent alternatives, such as its label-free Agnique ME and Agnique AMD series. Meanwhile, more research is being done by local universities and corporations for better green chemistry technology and options. 

While the adoption of green solvent and safer pesticides in Indonesia’s agriculture sector is still in its nascent stage, all of these developments certainly signal for a shift in the trend moving forward. For industry players, this is the time to prepare and build the infrastructure for such shift. That way, not only we can leverage on the market shift when time comes, but we can also help push the transformation for a safer and more sustainable agriculture industry in the country.

Over the years, the world has continued to ramp up regulations on the use of hazardous chemicals in pesticides. Since the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), which aims to limit the use of chemical pollutants including in pesticides, entered into effect in 2004, its list of substances to be eliminated or prohibited has grown. Since then, many countries in the world have taken a harsher stance against the use of hazardous chemicals across industries. Last year, the European Union (EU) made a commitment to review its export regulation for hazardous chemicals that are banned in EU, potentially further limiting the availability of these chemicals elsewhere.

While the agriculture sector is somewhat slower in moving toward more sustainable approach compared to its chemicals-reliant counterparts such as the packaging and coating sectors, progress has started to be seen. Over the years, EU has put numerous regulations and programs in place on the use of chemicals in pesticides. While the United States is considered to lag behind on this front, its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently ruled for the banning of chlorpyrifos due to health concerns.  

It is clear that it is time for the agriculture sector to catch up with the sustainability movement that has been gaining traction all over the world. For agriculture, this means eliminating harmful chemicals and shifting to green solvent. While the developed world has embraced this through more rigorous regulations and a growing ban list, adoption has been slower in developing countries. They account for 25% of global pesticide use and demand continues to rise in that part of the world even as it declines in the EU. 

A similar trend is seen in Indonesia, but it is predicted to shift in near future. The Indonesian government has begun a more aggressive push for nation-wide adoption of safer and more environmentally friendly pesticide through a crackdown on illegal pesticides. In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a stricter regulation on pesticide registration, which is hoped to improve its distribution to help minimize the negative health and environmental  ramifications.

As a specialty chemicals distributor in the agriculture industry, Bahtera has also seen this shift. While the high price tag of green solvent and lack of awareness have been the biggest barrier for its adoption, technological advancement and growing sustainability consciousness in the industry will drive the transformation moving forward. 

In recent years, we have seen more multinational companies switching to green solvent and adopting international standard for pesticide ingredients. As local players begin to adopt this trend, water-based Suspension Concentrate (SC) and oil-based Oil Dispersion (OD) will slowly grow in popularity replacing Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC).  

At this rate, moving toward sustainable pesticide is not only inevitable, but also necessary. The products are available in the country. Leading chemical providers such as BASF have made available various green solvent alternatives, such as its label-free Agnique ME and Agnique AMD series. Meanwhile, more research is being done by local universities and corporations for better green chemistry technology and options. 

While the adoption of green solvent and safer pesticides in Indonesia’s agriculture sector is still in its nascent stage, all of these developments certainly signal for a shift in the trend moving forward. For industry players, this is the time to prepare and build the infrastructure for such shift. That way, not only we can leverage on the market shift when time comes, but we can also help push the transformation for a safer and more sustainable agriculture industry in the country.

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Semarang

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Jl. Gatot Soebroto
Blok 19 Kav. 35
Kec. Ngaliyan, Kel. Ngaliyan
Semarang 50181

Phone +6224 7626 992,
+6224 7626 993

Fax +6224 7627 001

Tangerang

Kawasan Pergudangan Taman Tekno
BSD City Sektor XI
Blok G3 No. 30
Tangerang Selatan,
Banten 15310

Phone +6221 7588 1901

Fax +6221 7588 1900

Surabaya

Jl. Margomulyo No. 70
Tambak Sarioso,
Asemrowo
Surabaya 60183

Phone +6231 748 4008,
+6231 748 4009

Fax +6231 748 4012

/BahteraAdiJaya

Semarang

Kawasan Industri Candi
Jl. Gatot Soebroto
Blok 19 Kav. 35
Kec. Ngaliyan, Kel. Ngaliyan,
Semarang 50181

Phone +6224 7626 992,
+6224 7626 993

Fax +6224 7627 001

Tangerang

Kawasan Pergudangan Taman Tekno
BSD CitySektor XI
Blok G3 No. 30
Tangerang Selatan,
Banten 15310

Phone +6221 7588 1901

Fax +6221 7588 1900

Surabaya

Jl. Margomulyo No. 70
Tambak Sarioso,
Asemrowo,
Surabaya 60183

Phone +6231 748 4008,
+6231 748 4009

Fax +6231 748 4012

/BahteraAdiJaya

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