By: Rivka Mayangsari*)
In order to realize the ideal of national food self-sufficiency, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) continues to boost the rice field printing program as a strategic step to strengthen the agricultural sector. This step is considered very important to increase land productivity and answer the challenge of increasing food needs. By optimizing land potential, this program is expected to be a driving force for food self-sufficiency in Indonesia.
Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared various strategic steps to accelerate the achievement of food self-sufficiency. He explained that in 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to strengthen the rice field printing program, circulation, and support for production facilities and infrastructure to increase national rice production. The Minister also emphasized that his party encourages all levels of the Ministry of Agriculture to work optimally to make the program a success.
Furthermore, Minister Amran explained that one of the key strategies in the rice field printing program is the concept of oplah, namely efforts to increase agricultural productivity, especially on land that has not been optimally utilized, such as swamp land. This program aims not only to expand the planting area, but also to optimize existing land so that it can produce more in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Indonesia has a very large potential for swamp land that has not been utilized optimally. With a technological and innovative approach, swamp land that was previously considered less productive can now be transformed into fertile agricultural land. Through the rice field printing program, the Ministry of Agriculture utilizes the swamp land to support the increase in national rice production.
According to Minister Amran, the success of this program depends on the synergy between the central government, regional governments, and the community. He emphasized that optimization of swamp land and strengthening collaboration with various parties continues to be carried out. In addition, support in the form of agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan), superior seeds, and fertilizers have also been prepared so that this program can run smoothly.
In addition to focusing on land optimization, the Ministry of Agriculture also pays great attention to increasing the capacity of human resources (HR) in the agricultural sector. The Head of the Agricultural Extension and Human Resources Development Agency (BPPSDMP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Idha Widi Arsanti, stated that his party is committed to supporting the acceleration of food self-sufficiency with sustainable innovation.
He said that with continuous support, it is hoped that agricultural products, including horticultural types, can increase and support the food self-sufficiency program. Idha Widi Arsanti also said that increasing the capacity of farmers through training, mentoring, and introducing modern technology is the main priority of the Ministry of Agriculture.
This capacity increase is believed to encourage farmers to be more adaptive to changes in technology and modern agricultural methods. Thus, agricultural production is expected to increase both in terms of quantity and quality.
The rice field printing program is not only the responsibility of the government, but also requires full support from the community. The Head of the Central Kalimantan Food Crops, Horticulture, and Livestock (TPHP) Agency, Sunarti, encouraged the community to actively participate in supporting this program. He said that the rice field printing program initiated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia is very beneficial for the agricultural sector and hopes that the community can see this program as a more sustainable alternative than just relying on oil palm plantations.
Muhammad Yusuf also highlighted the importance of direct community involvement in the implementation of this program. According to him, the success of the rice field printing program will not only have an impact on food security, but also open up new economic opportunities for local communities. He added that this program is more than just a food estate, because it has developed into a modern, integrated and sustainable food estate concept.
The rice field printing program is now not only an effort to expand agricultural land, but has developed into a strategic initiative to realize a modern food estate. A modern food estate is a concept that integrates various aspects of agriculture, such as land management, technology, and markets, to create an efficient and sustainable agricultural system.
In this concept, the rice field printing program is equipped with adequate infrastructure support, such as modern irrigation, road access, and post-harvest facilities. This aims to ensure that production results can be managed properly and have higher added value.
Through the rice field printing program, the government hopes that Indonesia can achieve sustainable food independence. By optimizing land potential and increasing farmer productivity, food self-sufficiency is no longer just a dream, but a real target.
Full support from all parties, from the government, the community, to business actors, is needed to make this program a success. The rice field printing program is real evidence of the government’s commitment to building national food security and improving the welfare of farmers throughout Indonesia.
With the spirit of collaboration and innovation, the ideal of national food self-sufficiency is expected to be realized soon, making Indonesia a country that is independent in meeting its food needs and able to compete in the global market.
In addition, the implementation of this program in various regions is also expected to spur rural development. With increasing economic activity in the agricultural sector, rural communities are expected to be more prosperous. This program also creates new jobs, from land management to distribution of harvests, which have a positive impact on the local economy.
*) Economic observer
