Triangular Cooperation Training in Cooperation with JICA and the Indonesian Government on Integrated Crop Management of Tropical Fruit Crops (Avocado) for Palestine

On 11 August 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia held an opening ceremony of triangular cooperation training on “Integrated Crop Management of Tropical Fruit Crops (Avocado) for Palestine” at the Indonesian Centre of Agricultural Training (Balai Besar Pelatihan Pertanian Ketindan Malang). The ceremony was attended by Mr. Zuhair Al-shun, the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Ms. Idha Widi Arsanti, the Head of Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Extension and Human Resources Development, Mr. Ade Candradijaya, the Head of International Bureau of Ministry of Agriculture, Ms. Jimbo Naomi, the Senior Representative of JICA Indonesia Office, Mr. Dalyono, the CEO of Indonesian Aid, Mr. Oldrin on behalf of Ministry of Foreign and others.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia have been implementing various triangular cooperation to support Palestinian development since 2007. This Avocado training is implemented in part of “Capacity Development through CEAPAD Phase II” to further affirm the commitment of JICA and the Government of Indonesia to support the development of Palestine, which was launched based on the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestine Development (CEAPAD), a regional cooperation framework initiated by Japan in 2013.

This training aims to facilitate the Palestinian government official to improve the knowledge and skill related to (but not limited to) avocado, which has long been a crop to meet nutritional needs and has market potential to be used as a source of livelihood for the Palestinian people. From 11 to 25 August, 15 Palestinian government officials will learn extensively on avocado seedlings, pollination and pruning, water management, integrated pest and disease, soil fertility, postharvest, pesticide formulation and application, avocado value chain in Indonesia, and marketing and network development on avocado. They are expected to gain a comprehensive understanding, skills and experiences related to avocado’s harvesting until marketing through theoretical and practical sessions in the field by visiting various locations in Surabaya, Malang, Gresik, Klaten, Subang, and Bogor.

In this event, Ms. Jimbo Naomi, the Senior Representative from JICA Indonesia Office stated that this training is a proof of strong commitment from Japan and Indonesia to support the development of Palestine that has been conducting since 2007 through various cooperation framework. Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Zuhair Al-shun appreciated continuous support from JICA and Indonesian Government to Palestine as agricultural is the backbone economy of Palestinian.

“We noted that Avocado as an emerging and one of the most promising high-value crops in Palestine which contribute significantly to the Palestinian economy and we are very pleased to share the best practices and experience on the avocado production”, said Mr. Ade.

Mr. Oldrin on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Indonesia expressed a gratitude to JICA for the continuous support and cooperation to realize this training after two years of discussion. Further He mentioned that JICA has been a strong and reliable development partner for Indonesia due to JICA's willingness to discuss programs not only based on its own initiatives and demand-driven principles but also aligned with Indonesia's vision and priorities as a triangular partner.

Through Indonesian AID, Indonesia is taking great role to contribute to narrowing the gap in the global development finance, said Mr. Dalyono. He further explained that since its establishment till now, Indonesian AID has already allocated certain amount for development aid in which benefited to 86 countries.

Lastly, Ms Idha Widi Arsanti expressed her greatest appreciation to the concerned parties who put big efforts to realize this training such as JICA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, and Indonesian AID. In the last session, JICA Indonesia, ICAT Ketindan, Indonesian AID, and the Embassy of Palestine officially opened the training.

Through this training program, it is expected that the capacity of Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture would be enhanced, and thus avocado development will be further developed through partnership building among Palestine-Indonesia-Japan.