CIRAD – a French government funded agricultural research organisation working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions – has initiated with several partners the formation of the SALSA (Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes in Southeast Asia) platform, dedicated to the sustainability of perennial crop systems throughout the region.

 

The ambitious scientific platform – launched by CIRAD’s CEO Michel Eddi – was formalised by the signing of two multilateral agreements, under the patronage of French President Francois Hollande, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of Indonesia.

 

SALSA will focus on the development of scientific projects and training curricula with public and private partners in South East Asia – a region where issues surrounding the sustainability of major agricultural sectors are particularly prominent, and include deforestation and rural poverty reduction.

 

In Malaysia, the first circle of members involved in the formation of the SALSA platform comprises Universiti Putra Malaisia, the ASAHIL network of ASEAN universities and the University of Montpellier.

 

In Indonesia, the founding members of SALSA are plantation companies PT SMART and PT Socfindo, which have long been engaged with CIRAD in field research on the sustainability of oil palm and rubber plantations. Other members include PT RPN, the national plantation crop research network, and also the Asian Pacific Coconut Community, an institutional partner under the aegis of the United Nations.

 

New institutional partners, universities, research centres, private institutions or NGOs will gradually be integrated around this initial nucleus, including from other countries in the region such as Thailand.

 

www.cirad.fr/en/