By Dita Rahayu )*
The government continues to encourage the acceleration of food self-sufficiency as a strategic step in realizing national food security. Various policies and programs have been promoted to ensure that Indonesia is able to meet food needs independently without relying on imports. The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto emphasized the importance of collaboration between various parties in achieving the target of food self-sufficiency. According to him, the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) is ready to contribute through the allocation of Village Funds of IDR 16 trillion to support the implementation of the Food Security Program. This fund will be used to encourage the agriculture and livestock sectors in villages so that they can produce optimally.
At the regional level, the Governor of North Maluku Sherly Tjoanda also showed her commitment by collaborating with the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman to accelerate food self-sufficiency in her province. One of the concrete steps that will be taken is the development of livestock and the rejuvenation of dozens of hectares of existing gardens. North Maluku currently still relies on imports from outside the region to meet meat needs, especially from Bugis and Java. With this livestock development program, it is hoped that dependence on supplies from outside the region can be significantly reduced. In addition, the plan to open new land for corn and rice commodities is part of the strategy to increase food production in North Maluku.
On a wider scale, the Ministry of Agriculture is targeting the opening of three million hectares of rice fields and the development of modern agricultural clusters in 12 provinces, including North Maluku, South Papua, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and South Sumatra. This program aims to accelerate food self-sufficiency while making Indonesia a world food barn in the future. This modern agricultural cluster is believed to be able to significantly increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to gross domestic product, with greater money circulation from upstream to downstream.
In addition, the role of the industrial sector is also a concern in efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono invited the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to strengthen the national livestock industry. Collaboration between the government and the business world is needed to increase the production and marketing of laying hens and beef cattle. The government is also ready to provide support in the form of cultivation and marketing guidelines to ensure that the livestock industry can develop sustainably. With the optimization of feed mills spread across various regions, it is hoped that the production of beef, chicken, and eggs can increase significantly to support national food security.
In the context of food self-sufficiency, not only the agricultural and livestock sectors are of concern, but also the sustainable management of natural resources. The use of modern agricultural technology, the use of organic fertilizers, and efficient irrigation management are important factors in increasing productivity. The government continues to encourage the adoption of digital-based agricultural technology to increase agricultural yields and reduce the potential for crop failure. By utilizing big data and artificial intelligence, farmers can predict the weather, manage land more efficiently, and optimize the use of water and fertilizers.
In addition, education and training for farmers are also part of the food self-sufficiency strategy. The government together with universities and research institutions continue to develop training programs for farmers so that they can adapt modern agricultural methods. Strengthening agricultural extension workers in villages is also a concern, because they are at the forefront in assisting farmers to implement new innovations.
Another effort that is no less important is strengthening the market for domestic agricultural products. The government is trying to ensure that food commodity prices remain stable by strengthening distribution channels and reducing dependence on imports. By ensuring sufficient food supply and stable prices, farmers’ welfare can also increase, so that they are more motivated to increase production.
In facing the challenges of climate change that have the potential to affect agricultural productivity, the government has also prepared various mitigation measures. The development of crop varieties that are more resistant to climate change, improving water-saving irrigation systems, and diversifying commodities are part of the national food security strategy. Collaboration with research institutions and universities continues to be carried out to find the best solution for the Indonesian agricultural sector.
The government’s efforts to encourage the acceleration of food self-sufficiency are real steps in realizing food sovereignty. With various strategies that have been prepared, such asVillage Fund allocation, opening of new agricultural land, development of modern agricultural clusters, and collaboration with the business world, Indonesia is getting closer to the goal of becoming a country that is independent in food production. Challenges remain, especially in terms of infrastructure and human resource readiness, but with strong synergy between the central government, regional governments, and the private sector, food self-sufficiency is no longer just an ideal, but a target that can be achieved in the near future. With strong cooperation and commitment from all elements of the nation, food self-sufficiency will become a reality that provides broad benefits for society and the national economy. )* The author is a Public Policy Observer
