By: Ardyan Maheswara
Food security is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority agendas in an effort to strengthen national independence and improve the welfare of rural communities. The government views the food sector as not only related to the availability of staple foods, but also to the fate of millions of farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders who have long been the mainstay of the regional economy. Therefore, strengthening the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors continues to be encouraged through cross-sector collaboration, the use of technology, and improvements in national food distribution.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that President Prabowo has long placed significant emphasis on the food self-sufficiency agenda. According to him, self-sufficiency is not only about ensuring a secure food supply but also a way to increase the incomes of rural communities working in the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. He stated that approximately 30 to 40 percent of rural communities still depend on these sectors, so strengthening food security will have a direct impact on public welfare.
Zulkifli Hasan believes that the food problem in Indonesia lies not only in production but also in high distribution costs. He cited the example of rice distribution costs in Thailand, which are much lower than in Indonesia. This situation is considered to be due to the long distribution chain and inefficient policies. To address this issue, the government has prepared several regulations, including a Presidential Regulation, to reduce distribution costs, shorten the supply chain, and make food prices more stable and affordable.
The government also continues to encourage the use of productive land in various regions. President Prabowo reportedly directed that every village have a productive economic center and that no land be left vacant. Strengthening agricultural technology is a key part of this strategy, involving universities, research institutions, alumni of the Bogor Agricultural University, and the National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN). This collaboration is expected to accelerate national agricultural modernization so that food productivity can increase sustainably.
The government’s attention is also directed to the fishing sector, which has been considered to have a weak bargaining position in the market. Zulkifli Hasan explained that fishermen often have to sell their catch quickly before it spoils, resulting in suboptimal selling prices. To assist fishermen, the government is preparing to develop fishing villages and strengthening the role of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative as a buyer of catch when the market is unable to absorb production.
The Merah Putih Village Cooperative is also projected to become a village economic center supporting various government programs, including providing for the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit and the Free Nutritional Meal Program. The cooperative’s presence is expected to facilitate faster, more streamlined, and more targeted distribution of government aid, right down to the village level.
The elected Chairman of the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) Alumni Association, Fauzi Amro, stated that his organization is ready to support the strengthening of the national food supply chain through its alumni network spread across various regions. This support will focus on developing a more effective food distribution model, particularly to meet the needs of the Free Nutritional Meal Program. The involvement of academics and university alumni is considered crucial in strengthening national food security.
At the regional level, the West Kalimantan Provincial Government is also strengthening collaborative efforts to support the 2026 national food self-sufficiency target. One key focus is the development of corn through the Hybrid Corn Planting Movement program. Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan, Krisantus Kurniawan, described the program as a concrete step in strengthening food security from the village to the national level.
According to Krisantus Kurniawan, the program aligns with the vision of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s administration through Astacita, which emphasizes the importance of national independence through food security, energy, and a green economy. He also believes that strengthening the agricultural sector aligns with West Kalimantan’s development vision, which aims to create a prosperous, just, and environmentally friendly region.
From January to December 2025, West Kalimantan recorded a corn harvest area of 34,503 hectares, with a production of 179,246 tons of dry corn kernels. This achievement demonstrates the region’s significant potential in supporting national food security. Bengkayang Regency is said to have significant potential as a corn development center in West Kalimantan.
Krisantus also invited district and city governments, farmer groups, and elements of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Indonesian National Police (Polri) to actively support the agricultural land optimization program. According to him, unproductive land