Economists Say the Government is Serious About Achieving Food and Energy Self-Sufficiency, Key to National Independence
Jakarta — The Indonesian government’s efforts to achieve food and energy self-sufficiency are considered a strategic step that strengthens national resilience amidst global dynamics.
This was conveyed by Economist and Executive Director of the Segara Research Institute, Peter Abdullah, who emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency as an integral part of the nation’s long-term vision.
According to Peter, the government’s policy of promoting independence in the food and energy sectors is not merely an economic effort, but also concerns aspects of national defense.
“Food and energy security are part of the national defense system, not just market and production issues. In a global crisis, a self-reliant nation will be more resilient in maintaining social and economic stability,” he said.
The government, Peter continued, has demonstrated its seriousness through concrete steps, such as strengthening the agricultural sector, developing renewable energy, and improving the domestic production ecosystem.
According to him, this policy is in line with the direction of national economic transformation, which prioritizes the creation of sustainable jobs and improving the welfare of rural communities.
“Agricultural transformation isn’t just about expanding land, but also about production efficiency, improving incentive systems, and strengthening management. The government is starting to design integrated, data-driven policies to ensure farmers receive price certainty and fair profits,” he explained.
Peter also highlighted the importance of attracting young people back into the agricultural sector, which has seen declining participation.
“Increased agricultural productivity can only be achieved if the sector becomes attractive again to the younger generation. This means adequate incentives, easy access to financing, and guaranteed sustainability,” he added.
In the context of prices, the government is considered successful in maintaining a balance between the interests of consumers and producers.
Peter called this policy a dual strategy that would have a dual impact: maintaining people’s purchasing power and increasing farmers’ income.
“Price balance is key. If farmers profit, villages thrive. If villages thrive, the national economy grows from the ground up,” he said.
He added that support for strategic commodities such as rice was also being strengthened.
Based on production data, Indonesia has significant potential to achieve rice self-sufficiency, even surpassing some developed countries in terms of harvest capacity. However, he cautioned that self-sufficiency projects should not focus solely on land expansion.
He is also optimistic that the self-sufficiency target can be achieved in the medium term if agricultural and trade sector reforms are carried out consistently.
A more integrated approach is seen as a determining factor for long-term success.
“Self-sufficiency is not a short-term goal. It is the foundation of national independence. The government seems to understand that developing logistical resilience, economic sovereignty, and national stability is a unified vision that cannot be achieved instantly,” he stressed.
He appreciated the government’s move to integrate various policy instruments, including targeted fertilizer subsidies, land revitalization, and increasing farmers’ access to modern agricultural technology.
With this approach, he believes that the self-sufficiency program can have a real impact on people’s welfare and inclusive national economic growth.
“The government is on the right track. What’s needed now is policy sustainability, monitoring of implementation on the ground, and strong collaboration between the central and regional governments,” Peter concluded.
