InfoSAWIT, MENDALO – Universitas Jambi (UNJA) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) to develop integrated oil palm cultivation with food crops through land optimization and multi-business schemes.

The agreement was signed at the 7th Floor of the UNIFAC Building, UNJA Mendalo Campus, on February 19, 2026. The signing ceremony was attended by UNJA Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information Systems Prof. Revis Asra, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Dr. Forst. Bambang Irawan, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Cooperation Prof. Mursalin, as well as YIARI Chairman Silverius Oscar Unggul and his delegation.

Prof. Revis Asra stated that optimizing land utilization is becoming increasingly strategic amid growing concerns over national food security.

“Amid rising food security challenges, proper land optimization will improve efficiency in resource utilization,” he said, as quoted by InfoSAWIT from UNJA on Monday (23/2/2026).

Meanwhile, Dr. Forst. Bambang Irawan noted that integrating food crops within Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI) concessions from the first year could provide a solution to Indonesia’s food needs without opening new land areas.

“If HTI concessions are integrated with food crops from the first year, Indonesia’s food challenges could be addressed without further land expansion. In Jambi alone, the potential land area could reach between 60,000 to 70,000 hectares,” he explained.

Through this collaboration, UNJA and YIARI aim to strengthen cross-sector synergy in optimizing land use, improving resource efficiency, and supporting food security alongside sustainable forest management in Jambi Province. (T2)