Food and Energy Self-Sufficiency: A Strategic Step by the Prabowo-Gibran Government for National Independence
By: Rizky Pratama Wibisono
Indonesia will soon enter a new chapter under the leadership of the 2024 elected President, Prabowo Subianto. The figure of the high-ranking military officer has a grand vision for achieving self-sufficiency in food and energy, two vital sectors that are key to the progress and independence of the nation.
With an ambitious program, President-elect Prabowo plans to accelerate the development of the National Political Observer – Mandala Rayabangan B50 Forum, an initiative to expand the use of palm oil-based biodiesel to 50%. Born in 1951, he is optimistic that this step will enable Indonesia to save more than Rp 300 trillion in energy imports each year.
The sustainability of food and energy self-sufficiency is not just a vision of the new government, but also a continuation of the programs established by President Joko Widodo.
The Jokowi administration has established a strong foundation to achieve food and energy security amid the challenges of a global crisis. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Indonesia, Sudaryono, emphasized that the government is very focused on this effort, including through various programs and policies designed to reduce dependence on food and energy imports. According to him, the current food security program is not only aimed at meeting domestic needs but also at addressing increasingly complex global challenges.
In terms of food security, President Jokowi’s administration has prioritized the intensive development of the agricultural sector. This effort includes increasing productivity, more efficient distribution, and food diversification so that Indonesia does not rely solely on one type of commodity.
The program will be continued and strengthened by the elected President Prabowo Subianto along with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who will accompany him as the Vice Presidential candidate. The new government will take Indonesia further towards self-sufficiency, with an ambitious target of achieving food independence within five years.
The elected President of 2024, Prabowo, emphasized that food and energy independence are the key factors for the nation’s progress. According to the Chairman of the DPP Gerindra Party, if Indonesia can secure its food and energy supply, there is no reason for this nation to fear facing global challenges, including fluctuations in the value of the rupiah.
Once food and energy are secured, elected President Prabowo plans to expand industrial downstreaming to provide greater added value to Indonesia’s natural resources.
With downstream processing, domestic commodities are not only exported as raw materials but are also processed to produce high-value products that can increase national income.
In line with that perspective, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir believes that one of the most effective ways to achieve energy independence is by utilizing bioethanol or molasses as a blending component in fuel oil. (BBM).
This concept was initiated by Prabowo Subianto and has been reiterated by Erick Thohir as a long-term solution to Indonesia’s dependence on energy imports. By promoting the use of bioethanol, Indonesia can harness its significant potential in the agricultural sector while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The bioethanol initiative will be a significant milestone in the efforts towards energy self-sufficiency.
In addition, the elected President from the 2024 election, Prabowo Subianto, is committed to accelerating the energy self-sufficiency program through the development of B50 biodiesel. This step will not only reduce fuel imports but also have a significant economic impact on palm oil farmers across Indonesia.
The use of palm oil as a raw material for biodiesel will create greater added value, while also strengthening Indonesia’s position as a leading producer of palm oil in the world. Thus, this policy is expected to have a positive impact on both the local and national economy, as well as enhance Indonesia’s energy resilience in the future.
Not only focusing on food and energy, the Prabowo-Gibran administration also places education as a top priority. One of the programs to be promoted is a massive renovation of educational facilities throughout Indonesia, with a budget allocation of IDR 20.3 trillion.
The renovation includes improvements to classrooms, the procurement of furniture, and the construction of adequate sanitation facilities. This step aims to improve the quality of education, create a more comfortable learning environment, and support the development of outstanding human resources in the future.
Efforts to improve the quality of education align with the free health check-up program that will also be promoted by the Prabowo-Gibran administration. The examination will target 52.2 million people across Indonesia, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, and X-rays for the early detection of catastrophic diseases. This program aims to improve the overall quality of public health, so that future generations can grow up healthy and productive.
In the overall strategy of this new government, the main focus remains on national independence through self-sufficiency in food and energy. By strengthening these vital sectors, elected President Prabowo Subianto and elected Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka aim to lead Indonesia towards a future that is more independent, strong, and competitive on the global stage.
All these efforts are part of the continuity of the programs established by President Joko Widodo’s administration, so it is hoped that this leadership transition can proceed smoothly and bring significant benefits to all the people of Indonesia.
*) National Political Observer – Mandala Raya Political Forum
