Space Seed Holdings Engages with Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives

On August 21, 2025, Space Seed Holdings, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, paid a courtesy visit to the Indonesian Ministry of Cooperatives (Kementerian Koperasi dan UKM) along with Ananda Setiyo Ivannanto, the CEO of PT Awina Sinergi International. The meeting included discussions with Ahmad Zabadi, the vice minister of the Ministry of Cooperatives, to explore potential agricultural collaborations.

During the discussions, Space Seed Holdings proposed ideas centered around utilizing Japanese technology and investment to establish a comprehensive supply chain that connects primary production to upcycling and the final product sale. Two main themes emerged from the proposals: the production of high-performance tapioca from cassava, and optimizing rice drying while enhancing the value of rice bran.

Proposal Overview

1. High-Performance Tapioca from Cassava

The proposed approach for producing tapioca from cassava aims to supply raw materials that meet both functional and processing suitability for the food, confectionery, noodle, and beverage industries.
Key Features:

- The process involves gelatinization and enzyme modification, allowing for the development of resistant starch (RS) for low glycemic index (GI) formulations, while also imparting emulsification stability and other processing functions.
- Safety measures include proper management of cyanogenic compounds and thorough compliance with halal and microbial standards.
- Environmentally, the proposal emphasizes the recycling of by-products through feed and fermentation materials usage.

2. Optimization of Rice Drying and High-Value Utilization of Rice Bran

This proposal focuses on utilizing low-temperature processing, heat pumps, and solar energy to enable efficient and economical rice processing.
Key Features:

- The moisture content will be kept uniform (around 14%) to minimize cracked grains while preserving taste quality.
- Quickly stabilizing rice bran (including inactivating lipase) will allow for the extraction and purification of functional components such as γ-oryzanol, tocotrienols, phytosterols, and ferulic acid—these can then be used to create dietary supplements, functional beverages, and cosmetic raw materials.
- The potential for increased value through fermentation to produce GABA and peptides, along with evaluating the material utilization of by-products such as husk silica.

In both proposals, the importance of enhancing cooperatives' role in ensuring collection, quality standards, financial inclusion, and transparent profit distribution was emphasized. The discussions indicated that there is potential for developing a domestic brand that aligns with clean label trends, driven by both domestic demand and exports.

Comment from Kenzo Suzuki, CEO of Space Seed Holdings

Kenzo Suzuki stated, "Integrating the core model of creating, utilizing without waste, and delivering value can enhance both regional income and consumer perspective value. We aim to contribute to the policy direction of economic independence and strengthening cooperatives by implementing model cases, even on a small scale."

Future Plans

In Indonesia, economic independence and cooperative strengthening is set as a national agenda. Together with PT Awina, Space Seed Holdings is targeting the stabilization of smallholder farmers' incomes, minimizing food waste, and establishing a regional brand based on nutrition and functionality. The plan includes enhancing investment efficiency through a multi-product approach and common infrastructure while verifying the social contribution potential of these businesses.

Additionally, the Indonesian experience of visiting lychee farms and traditional coffee production offers a glimpse into the vibrant agricultural sector that Space Seed Holdings plans to engage with further.

About Space Seed Holdings

Space Seed Holdings is a deep tech venture builder focused on making science fiction a reality through investment and research initiatives. Operating under the mission, "To make SF a non-fiction," the company engages in activities aimed at solving social issues, including the management of the "Fermentation and Longevity Fund" program, which supports the social implementation of fermentation and longevity technologies. Their ambition is to develop necessary technologies for human habitation in outer space by 2040 through collaboration with various stakeholders. For more information, visit Space Seed Holdings.