The Faculty of Agriculture at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through its Agricultural Microbiology Study Program, continues to strengthen international research collaboration through a joint research project with Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions (MCCLS) and The University of Osaka, Japan. The project focuses on the development of microorganism-based bioinsecticides as environmentally friendly alternatives for pest management. As an initial step in coordinating the research activities, the first progress report meeting was held online on May 13, 2026, to discuss the preliminary research outcomes and future research plans.
The meeting was moderated by Prof. Kazuhito Fujiyama from The University of Osaka, while the delegation from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM was led by Prof. Irfan Priyambada. The meeting served as an important platform to discuss the initial progress of the project, define the roles of each collaborating institution, and align strategies for the development of bioinsecticide technologies that can contribute to more sustainable agricultural systems in the future.
The session began with a presentation by Mr. Norikazu Higashimura, representative of Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions (MCCLS), who provided an overview of the collaboration from an industrial perspective. He highlighted the growing importance of bioinsecticide development as an innovative and environmentally sustainable solution for pest control. The presentation also emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate the development and application of biological control technologies in modern agriculture.
The meeting continued with a research progress report presented by Susanti Mugi Lestari, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM. She outlined the current status of the research, preliminary findings, and the potential of selected microorganisms being investigated as bioinsecticide agents. The presentation also covered ongoing laboratory evaluations, microbial characterization activities, and future experimental plans aimed at assessing the effectiveness and applicability of the candidate microorganisms for agricultural pest management.
The meeting concluded with a comprehensive discussion session focusing on research achievements, challenges encountered during the initial phase of the project, and future research directions. This discussion provided an important opportunity for all partners to align their research objectives, strengthen collaboration between academic and industrial stakeholders, and formulate strategies to ensure that the project delivers meaningful contributions to sustainable agriculture and biological pest control technologies.
Through this collaboration, UGM continues to expand its international research network and contribute to the development of innovative agricultural technologies. The partnership between UGM, MCCLS, and The University of Osaka is expected to generate scientific advancements and practical solutions that support environmentally friendly agricultural practices and enhance global cooperation in agricultural biotechnology research.
This activity contributes to the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).