By Agustina Ariandita )*
Efforts to achieve food sovereignty extend beyond the ability to meet the demand for rice or other primary commodities, but also encompass all strategic food items that people rely on daily. The government’s move to accelerate garlic self-sufficiency is a commendable policy, demonstrating the courage to break free from dependence on imports. This commitment is also part of a broader strategy to build a more independent, competitive national food system capable of navigating the dynamics of the global economy.
Garlic has long been a commodity that relies heavily on foreign supplies. This situation makes domestic price stability vulnerable to changes in the international market, distribution disruptions, and exchange rate fluctuations. Therefore, strengthening domestic production is a strategic step to create stronger food security while providing certainty for consumers and farmers.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that the government continues to strengthen domestic production by accelerating garlic cultivation and maintaining its commitment to national food self-sufficiency. He stated that the government is carrying out massive planting because, of the various strategic food commodities of concern, most have achieved self-sufficiency and are even capable of exporting. This statement demonstrates the government’s clear roadmap for agricultural development priorities.
This commitment is reinforced by the policy of allocating nearly IDR 400 billion to increase domestic garlic seed production. This step is crucial because the main challenge in national garlic development has been not only the limited area of planted land but also the limited availability of quality seeds. By strengthening the nursery sector, the government is building a long-term foundation for sustainable production growth without having to rely on foreign supplies.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono explained that the budget will be used to support a 5,000-hectare garlic nursery program as the initial step in strengthening national production. He also conveyed President Prabowo Subianto’s desire for garlic, a vital staple food, to achieve self-sufficiency. This statement demonstrates a shared vision for making the agricultural sector a key pillar of national development.
The policy of strengthening the seedling breeding system at the farmer level is also a noteworthy innovation. Under this scheme, the government provides initial seeds to farmers, then the harvest is returned one and a half times as new seeds, while the remaining seeds can be sold by the farmers. This scheme not only helps provide sustainable seedling supply but also provides economic incentives that encourage active farmer participation as key actors in agricultural development. This approach demonstrates that self-sufficiency is not built through reliance solely on government assistance, but rather through community empowerment, which can create a continuously evolving production cycle.
If this program runs according to target, the need for garlic imports is expected to continue to decline over the next three to four years as domestic production increases. This target will undoubtedly require hard work, consistent monitoring, and collaboration between the government, farmers, academics, business actors, and local governments. However, this optimism is well-founded, given Indonesia’s abundant natural resources, favorable agro-climatic conditions, and extensive experience in cultivating various horticultural commodities.
The hope of achieving self-sufficiency has also received support from various parties, including the legislature. Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Johan Rosihan, urged the government to immediately end its dependence on garlic imports and re-target national self-sufficiency. He recalled that Indonesia achieved garlic self-sufficiency in the 1990s, with one of its production centers located in Sembalun, West Nusa Tenggara. This perspective serves as a reminder that achieving self-sufficiency is not an impossible goal, but rather a realistic target that has been achieved and can be achieved again through appropriate policies and the support of all stakeholders.
Achieving garlic self-sufficiency will also have a broad impact on national development. Increased production will open new business opportunities in rural areas, increase farmers’ incomes, strengthen the national seed industry, and create a more efficient supply chain. Furthermore, reduced imports will help maintain the country’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthen economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. Thus, the benefits of self-sufficiency will be felt not only by the agricultural sector but also by the wider community through the creation of more stable prices and a more secure food supply.
Garlic self-sufficiency symbolizes the spirit of building a more independent and sovereign Indonesia in the food sector. Policies ranging from accelerating planting to strengthening the nursery system demonstrate that the government is paving a new path toward food sovereignty. With synergy between the government, farmers, businesses, and the community, the goal of reducing and even eliminating dependence on imports is not just a slogan, but a strategic agenda that can be realized for a more resilient and sustainable future for Indonesia’s food security.
)* The author is an observer of agribusiness policy