JAKARTA – The use of advanced technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), has become a key driver in realizing national food self-sufficiency. President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, emphasized this point during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) at the Hwabaek International Convention Centre (HICO) in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
“We are entering a new era defined by rapid technological advancement, especially in artificial intelligence. At the same time, we face demographic shifts that demand innovation in our development strategies and policies,” said President Prabowo.
The President stressed that AI-based technology is now a core strategy to accelerate poverty and hunger eradication. He explained that the application of AI in the agricultural sector has already delivered tangible results, particularly in improving productivity and efficiency.
“We are now using AI in agriculture to develop precision and modern farming systems. As a result, Indonesia has achieved self-sufficiency in rice and corn faster than projected,” he asserted.
In a separate statement, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the government has allocated IDR 10 trillion to promote the implementation of AI-powered modern agriculture. The funds are being used to develop technologies such as agricultural drones, soil sensors, AI-based data systems, and agricultural robotics.
“With these technologies, productivity rises, cropping intensity increases, and production costs decrease. We’re using drones, sensors to monitor soil nutrients, and agricultural robots—all aimed at achieving national food independence,” Amran explained during his visit to the Agricultural Assembly and Modernization Center (BRMP).
Modernization efforts are also progressing at the regional level. In Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, for example, the local government has distributed agricultural machinery (alsintan) to 17 farmer groups across 11 districts. The assistance includes combine harvesters, four-wheel tractors, water pumps, and handsprayers, all aimed at accelerating planting seasons and expanding rice cultivation areas to 60,255 hectares.
Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani reaffirmed that farmers are at the forefront of achieving national food self-sufficiency.
“This agricultural assistance must be utilized optimally. If rice production increases, farmers’ welfare will also improve,” she said.
With the synergy between national policies, strong budgetary support, and the adoption of advanced technologies in the field, Indonesia is taking concrete steps toward food sovereignty. AI-driven innovation not only strengthens national food security but also serves as a foundation for future prosperity and national resilience.
