Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized Indonesia’s ambitious goal of becoming the world’s food barn. He made this statement at a food acceleration coordination meeting in Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday (September 16), which was also attended by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah and members of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).
Amran stated that the acceleration of the food self-sufficiency program has shown tangible results. The President, he explained, initially requested that the target be achieved within four years, but this was accelerated to three years, then one year, and finally, to just six months.
“The President’s initial directive was four years (for self-sufficiency). Then, thank God, three years. Pray, God willing, we can achieve self-sufficiency this year,” said Amran.
He emphasized that this acceleration was not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, but also involved the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Logistics Agency (Bulog), and the community. This cross-sectoral collaboration yielded significant results, with Bulog’s highest rice stock at 4.2 million tons as of June 2025. The agricultural sector also experienced positive growth of 10.52 percent.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs is promoting the development of a food self-sufficiency area in Merauke, South Papua. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan considered this step crucial to support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
“Our current stock is sufficient, but with nutritious food, there will be a huge need. Next year’s budget will be around Rp 300 trillion,” said Zulkifli.
“We do have a rice carbohydrate surplus, approximately 3 million more this year, but we’re concerned about the nutritional needs of this food. Therefore, the population continues to grow, while land in Java is decreasing, so this is where we’re planting,” he continued.
Zulkifli hopes that the acceleration of the national food, energy, and water sector in Merauke will strengthen food sovereignty and create new jobs.
“This region not only ensures food security, but also creates extensive job opportunities, improves people’s welfare, and serves as an important foundation for a sovereign, strong, and prosperous Indonesia,” he said.***