Sidrap Regency is now establishing itself as an international center of attention in the agricultural sector. The region's success in managing the porang commodity supply chain has attracted the interest of academics from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to conduct an in-depth study. The official visit of the UTM delegation was welcomed directly by the Regent of Sidrap, Syaharuddin Alrif, on Monday (6/7/2026), at the Sidrap SKPD Complex.
The delegation, consisting of interdisciplinary experts ranging from the Azman Hashim International Business School to the Faculty of Science at UTM, was present to dissect the porang industry ecosystem. They were accompanied by representatives from Hasanuddin University, who serve as a strategic partner in the development of research and innovation in the region.
On that occasion, Syaharuddin Alrif explained the local government's strategy in elevating porang from an initially overlooked plant into one of the leading economic pillars. The main focus of the discussion included regulatory aspects, technical support for farmers, and marketing strategies capable of penetrating the global market. Syaharuddin reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining the sustainability of this sector, both in terms of productivity and quality standards.
The intensive discussion covered various crucial dimensions, ranging from cultivation technology and post-harvest processing to legality aspects and product certification. UTM hopes that the results of this study will not only enrich academic references in Malaysia, but also pave the way for more concrete bilateral cooperation in the future.
This visit is expected to be a momentum for Sidrap to strengthen its position as a reference region for agricultural innovation in Indonesia. The synergy between the government, universities, and international practitioners is projected to provide significant economic added value for the local community and expand market access for porang to the international level.
