By: Bahtiar Ardie)*
Food self-sufficiency is a top priority in national development policies under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. This commitment continues to be emphasized on various occasions as a strategic step to maintain national sovereignty amidst increasingly complex global challenges. The global food crisis, climate change, and supply chain disruption due to geopolitical conflicts are reminders of the importance of food independence. President Prabowo understands that food security is not only about meeting domestic needs, but also about sustainability, farmer welfare, and national stability.
Various priority programs have been launched to realize the self-sufficiency target. One of them is optimizing agricultural land through the creation of new rice fields, modernizing agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan), and rehabilitating irrigation networks. The government is also expanding planting areas and increasing the planting index so that harvests can be more than once a year. Digitalization and the use of smart farming technology are also encouraged to increase efficiency and productivity. These efforts are made so that the Indonesian agricultural sector not only survives, but is also able to compete globally and reduce dependence on imports of staple foods.
President Prabowo also strengthened the role of the National Food Agency as a strategic institution that manages food supply and prices. Coordination across ministries and institutions is strengthened so that food policies run synergistically and in an integrated manner, from upstream production to downstream distribution and consumption. Meanwhile, Perum Bulog is given a broader mandate to maintain strategic stocks and absorb farmers’ harvests to the maximum, in order to ensure national food availability in emergency situations or when prices spike.
Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman explained that food self-sufficiency cannot be achieved without paying attention to the welfare of farmers as the main actors in production. Therefore, the government is increasing support through cheap financing, targeted fertilizer subsidies, technology assistance, and more open market access. The millennial farmer program also continues to be developed as a solution to the challenges of farmer regeneration which has been an obstacle. The goal is for the agricultural sector to become an attractive and promising sector for the young generation of Indonesia, and to support village-based economic growth.
Agricultural infrastructure is also an important concern. The construction and revitalization of dams, reservoirs, irrigation, production roads, and farmers’ markets are carried out massively and evenly throughout Indonesia. Strategic projects such as the construction of new dams and strengthening of inter-regional connectivity infrastructure are expected to support the productivity of the agricultural sector. In addition, the national logistics system is strengthened to facilitate food distribution, reduce transportation costs, and maintain price stability from farmers to consumers.
Food diversification is an important pillar in the strategy for sustainable self-sufficiency. The government encourages the consumption and production of local food sources such as sorghum, sago, porang, and tubers as alternatives to rice. This step not only reduces dependence on one commodity, but also opens up new business opportunities for local farmers. Food diversification is also part of adaptation to climate change, considering that some local commodities are more resistant to drought or flooding than rice plants.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the East Kalimantan DPRD, Ananda Emira Moeis explained that in the context of global uncertainty, food independence is the main shield for the Indonesian nation. A country that is able to meet its own food needs will be better prepared to face embargoes, trade conflicts, and international price fluctuations. Thus, it is necessary to understand the importance of food security as part of national defense. Not only in the physical sense, but also in maintaining social calm and economic stability amidst increasingly unpredictable global pressures.
The move towards food self-sufficiency is a long-term process that requires policy consistency, collaboration between stakeholders, and active community involvement. The government under President Prabowo has shown a strong commitment by building an integrated foundation and system to realize this goal. The success of the food self-sufficiency program will be an important legacy for future generations and a milestone towards a truly sovereign Indonesia in the food sector.
The success of food self-sufficiency is not only a quantitative achievement in terms of production, but also reflects the strength and independence of a nation. The government under President Prabowo’s leadership has taken strategic and measurable steps to realize this great ideal. By strengthening domestic production, improving farmer welfare, and developing agricultural infrastructure and technology, Indonesia is on the right track to free itself from dependence on food imports. Commodity diversification and a local wisdom-based approach are added value in the grand strategy of national food security.
The government’s commitment to building food sovereignty has received international recognition, reflected in the 2024 FAO award for the food security category. Through pentahelix collaboration involving government, academics, businesses, communities, and the media, the food self-sufficiency program is not just a discourse but is becoming a reality. With consistent policy implementation and support from all Indonesian people, Indonesia’s target as Asia’s food barn in 2045 is increasingly clear under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto.
)* The author is an agricultural observer
