During celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), Frans Claasen, Dutch Agricultural Council in Indonesia, received a plaque on behalf of Plant Research International. In his speech, IAARD Director General Achmad Suryana praised the efforts of Plant Research International (one of the institutes of Wageningen UR) as a partner in the modernisation of the Indonesian agricultural sector.

Various activities were held on 4 and 5 August 2004 to commemorate three decades of achievement by the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), the organisation of the of the Indonesian agricultural research institutes. Among the special guests at the official opening of the festivities was Bungaran Saragih, the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture.

In looking back at 30 years of success, particular attention was paid to Indonesian researchers and national and international organisations who have played a major role in the modernisation of Indonesian agriculture.
The IAARD reinforced its appreciation of the work of Plant Research International by awarding it a special plaque.

The Indonesian government, research institutes and universities have worked in close cooperation with Plant Research International over the years to modernise research and education. In this way, a significant contribution has been made - and will continue to be made - to the further development of Indonesian agriculture.

Joint research projects have been carried out examining the sustainable cultivation of food crops and ornamental plants. Laboratories have been set up for molecular and cell-biological research and education, and courses have been created for and given to students and researchers.

Plant Research International has also partnered in the development of Indonesian breeding companies, especially in the field of vegetable crops.

The agricultural sector in Indonesia is of even greater importance than in the Netherlands. It is a major economic sector, responsible for feeding

(See other side)the vast majority of Indonesia's 225 million people and supporting the country's culture.

The cooperation between Indonesia and Plant Research International is partly financed by the Indonesian government, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (in particular Senter/NOVEM), and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen UR is a collaboration of:
- Plant Research International B.V.
- Applied Plant Research (Praktijkonderzoek Plant & Omgeving B.V.)
- Wageningen University