Jakarta, Jan. 21 -- Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Algeria to improve fertilizer quality and accessibility for farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food security through enhanced agricultural productivity.

The MoU was signed by the leaders of state-run fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Indonesia and Algeria's national phosphate mining company Somiphos in Algiers on Tuesday (Jan. 20), according to a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"This Algeria-backed phosphate cooperation represents a concrete step toward strengthening the upstream segment of the national fertilizer industry to make fertilizers more affordable for Indonesians," said Sudaryono, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, who witnesse...