By: Ardiansyah Pawirojoyo )*
Food security is one of the most important foundations of a nation’s sovereignty. Without sufficient, affordable, and high-quality food, a country will remain vulnerable to both global market fluctuations and climate change. President Prabowo Subianto fully recognizes that food sovereignty is not merely political jargon, but rather a strategic necessity that must be realized. Therefore, one of his administration’s top priorities is realizing a food self-sufficiency program, fully supported by integrated infrastructure development and strengthening.
President Prabowo’s vision of food self-sufficiency places farmers at the forefront and as the primary beneficiaries. However, he also understands that farmers cannot work alone without adequate ecosystem support. Infrastructure, both physical and non-physical, is the backbone that enables every stage of food production to run efficiently, from land preparation and seed distribution to irrigation and harvesting, to marketing agricultural products. Infrastructure extends beyond roads and bridges to dams, modern storage warehouses, grain drying facilities, logistics transportation networks, and digital technology that helps farmers access price and weather information.
President Prabowo emphasized the importance of developing modern irrigation infrastructure as a key factor in achieving self-sufficiency. An efficient irrigation system will ensure year-round water availability, reducing the risk of crop failure due to drought or flooding. The government is committed to rehabilitating thousands of kilometers of neglected irrigation canals and building new reservoirs and dams in strategic areas. This will not only increase food production but also expand the planting area, which currently depends on seasonal rainfall.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that his office continues to strengthen water resources infrastructure to promote national food self-sufficiency, as stated in President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita (Asta Cita). One of the strategic infrastructure projects supporting food security in the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province is the Sermo Dam in Kulon Progo Regency.
The Sermo Dam is a concrete example of how well-maintained infrastructure can serve as the backbone of food security, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita (Asta Cita). The use of the Sermo Dam has significantly improved farmers’ cropping patterns, increasing from 215% to 273%, increasing rice production in the service area to 49,087 tons of harvested dry unhusked rice (GKP) or the equivalent of 41,723 tons of milled dry unhusked rice (GKG) annually, with an average productivity of 6.04 tons per hectare.
In addition, Special Staff to the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, said that his party is ready to realize national food self-sufficiency as proclaimed by President Prabowo Subianto through Presidential Instruction Number 2 of 2025. He also said that improving irrigation infrastructure will be a priority because it is the key to increasing agricultural productivity and expanding the planting season.
More broadly, this strategy is part of a vision of national sovereignty. A country capable of meeting its own food needs will be more independent in making political and economic decisions, free from external pressure. With self-sufficiency supported by robust infrastructure, Indonesia will have strong resilience in the face of global crises, such as spikes in global food prices or disruptions to international supply chains.
The government also ensures that the success of this strategy is measured not only by production results but also by improvements in farmer welfare. Technical assistance programs, ongoing extension services, and easy access to financing are priorities to enable farmers to manage their land optimally and sustainably. With this combination of physical and non-physical support, local agricultural potential can be maximized, creating a resilient food ecosystem that is adaptive to climate change and market dynamics.
The success of this program is measured not only by the amount of food produced, but also by the increased welfare of farmers, the maintenance of price stability, and the availability of nutritious food for all. President Prabowo called on all parties—local governments, the private sector, academics, and the general public—to work together to achieve food security. Infrastructure is merely a tool, while cooperation and collective awareness are the driving force.
Food security is key to Indonesia’s independent and competitive future. Strong agricultural infrastructure is the foundation, from modern irrigation to technology-based rice paddy cultivation, which confirms that food self-sufficiency is a real priority of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. Everyone must continue to unite in supporting this determination. With cooperation, investment, and the courage to innovate, Indonesia will become a true food barn, ensuring the well-being of future generations and cementing our food sovereignty.
With a strong commitment, the right strategy, and equitable infrastructure development, Indonesia’s dream of food self-sufficiency is not impossible. In fact, under the hands of a firm and visionary leader like President Prabowo, food self-sufficiency can become a reality, leading Indonesia to become a sovereign, prosperous, and highly competitive nation on the global stage.
)* The author is a Public Policy Observer