Medan, N Sumatra, Nov. 1 -- Indonesia's National Development Planning (Bappenas) Ministry and European researchers are examining ways to strengthen the country's rubber value chain, from smallholder production to processing and market access.

Haekal Heriyanto, a representative of Bappenas' Food and Agriculture Directorate, said the effort was part of Value Chain Analysis for Development (VCA4D), a study covering rubber and coconut.

"European and Indonesian researchers, together with Bappenas representatives, visited the Sungei Putih Research Unit of PT Riset Perkebunan Nusantara's Rubber Research Center," Haekal said in a statement received in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra Province, on Sunday.

He said the study aligns with Nation...