SEAMEO BIOTROP has established a collaboration with the Indonesian Essential Oil Council (Dewan Atsiri Indonesia - DAI) through the signing of a cooperation agreement (PKS) with the Indonesian Essential Oil Council. The event was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Jakarta. The purpose of this collaboration is to organize training activities on the cultivation and management of derivative products of oyster mushrooms based on citronella distillation waste. Additionally, the parties agreed to provide education on innovations supporting a sustainable zero-waste circular economy.

Dr. Zulhamsyah Imran, Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, in his speech, stated, "Hopefully, this collaboration is not only limited to training, but also introduces the biodiversity of Indonesia." to which Dr. Ir. Irdika Mansur, the Head of the Indonesian Essential Oil Council and former Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP, replied, "I hope the cooperation between SEAMEO BIOTROP and the Indonesian Essential Oil Council may runs smoothly and benefits to the betterment of essential oil industry in Indonesia and Southeast Asia."

Indonesia has been known as the center of spices in the world, including essential oil products. There are 40 types of Indonesian essential oils traded globally, about 12 of which have been exported to world markets. Some Indonesian essential oil products are even very dominant in the world market, such as patchouli oil, vetiver, nutmeg, and cloves. National essential oil production activities involve many parties, ranging from farmers producing raw materials, small and medium-sized refining industries, traders, collectors, to advanced processing industries and exporters. The Indonesian Essential Oil Council (DAI) is an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of Indonesia's essential oil industry. (AS)