Indonesia studies cassava-based technology to fight land fires

hartono · Aug 28, 2026

Indonesia studies cassava-based technology to fight land fires

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Arif Satria, delivers a press statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (Aug. 8, 2026). ANTARA/Fathur Rochman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is studying cassava-based technology as a potential tool to combat forest and land fires, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Arif Satria said on Friday.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Satria said the technology was theoretically feasible and BRIN had coordinated with the National Police on potential implementation.

He said BRIN was awaiting further developments on preparations to implement the technology and hoped they would produce results soon.

BRIN is also coordinating with the National Police and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) to combat forest and land fires, including through weather modification.

Satria said BRIN had identified several materials for more efficient weather modification operations, including sodium chloride (NaCl) particles measuring 25 microns.

Earlier this week, President Prabowo Subianto said “cassava bombing” could offer an alternative method to extinguish forest and land fires faster and more effectively.

During a meeting on forest and land fires in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Monday, Prabowo called for the technology to be developed and tested on a larger scale.

He also called for the production budget to be proposed promptly so the government could support research, production and testing of the technology's effectiveness.