By: Rivan Doni Saputra (*
Efforts to achieve national food self-sufficiency continue to move forward through visionary and adaptive transformational measures. The Indonesian government is progressively directing agricultural sector development toward a resilient and competitive modern agriculture. By strengthening sustainable agricultural policies, the government integrates the use of technological innovation, increased production efficiency, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. This approach affirms Indonesia’s readiness to build a self-sufficient, sustainable national food system capable of addressing future challenges while improving the welfare of farmers as the nation’s frontline food security.
One of the key foundations of this agenda is the implementation of the Sustainable Pesticide Management Framework (SPMF). Kukuh Ambar Waluyo, Head of Crop Protection Research & Development for Southeast Asia & Pakistan at Bayer Crop Science and Chairman of CropLife Indonesia, emphasized that the SPMF is a national framework for sustainable pesticide management designed to strengthen Indonesia’s agricultural system to make it more resilient and modern. This initiative was born from multi-stakeholder collaboration, from the Ministry of Agriculture, BRIN, to industry players and field volunteers.
According to Kukuh, the SPMF does not stand alone, but rather complements various existing strategic government programs, such as the distribution of subsidized fertilizer, assistance with agricultural tools and machinery, and improvements to irrigation infrastructure. This framework allows for more measured, safe, and science-based use of agricultural production inputs. The impact is not only on increased productivity but also on farmer welfare and the resilience of the agricultural sector to the impacts of climate change.
Indonesia itself is a country with enormous agricultural potential. However, this potential faces multidimensional challenges, ranging from land conversion, limited human resources, to the demand for the adoption of the latest agricultural technologies. Without planned transformation, this enormous potential risks being underutilized. This is where policies that bridge traditional agricultural traditions with modern innovations become crucial.
A similar view was expressed by the Head of the Center for Plant Variety Protection and Agricultural Licensing (PPVTPP) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ir. Leli Nurhayati, M.Sc. She emphasized that the implementation of SPMF is highly relevant to supporting a sustainable food system while also attracting millennial farmers. The use of environmentally friendly pesticides is considered not only to maintain ecosystem balance but also to provide cost-effective production and ensure food safety for consumers.
The issue of farmer regeneration is a serious concern for the government. Currently, the majority of Indonesian farmers are still seniors. Without a clear regeneration strategy, national food security could potentially face serious challenges in the future. Through technological support such as agricultural drones, digital licensing, and mentoring and training programs, the SPMF is seen as capable of encouraging the emergence of professional, adaptive, and independent millennial farmers.
Collaborative commitments are also continuously strengthened. CropLife Indonesia affirms its readiness to continue working with the government and volunteers in the field to ensure modern agricultural innovations are truly adopted by the younger generation. This collaboration is crucial to ensuring that agricultural transformation doesn’t stop at the policy level but is truly felt by farmers on the ground.
Upstream, the government is also making serious improvements to the national fertilizer industry. Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, emphasized that the modernization of the ammonia plant at PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) in Bontang is projected to reduce the price of subsidized urea and NPK fertilizers by up to 20 percent. This step is a significant milestone in the revitalization of the national fertilizer industry, as it will not only reduce prices but also increase production capacity and efficiency.
Furthermore, the project is part of the government’s broader roadmap to build seven new fertilizer factories, with five of them targeted for completion before 2029. This policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of affordable and sustainable fertilizers as a key pillar of national agricultural productivity.
This overall policy reflects an increasingly integrated agricultural development direction. The distribution of subsidized fertilizer, assistance with agricultural machinery, irrigation improvements, the implementation of the SPMF (Farming and Agricultural Productivity Program), and the modernization of the fertilizer industry are all part of a unified strategy to transform Indonesian agriculture from a conventional system to a modern, efficient, competitive, and sustainable agriculture.
As an agricultural observer, these steps deserve appreciation and support. The challenges are indeed significant, but the policy direction is on the right track. With safe and responsible innovation management, and close collaboration between government, industry, academia, and farmers, food self-sufficiency is not just a slogan, but a realistic, achievable goal.
Ultimately, agricultural modernization is a long-term process that requires consistency, trust, and the participation of all parties. Communities and agricultural actors need to place their trust in the government to oversee this transformation. With collective support, modern agriculture will not only strengthen food self-sufficiency but also establish the agricultural sector as a key pillar of national independence and resilience in the future.
(* The author is an observer of modern agriculture.