Jakarta – The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate its commitment to achieving national food self-sufficiency through a series of strategic policies and flagship programs. The latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture shows a significant increase in the production of staple foods, such as rice. This shows that the food self-sufficiency program is on the right track to achieving the set target.
The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) continues to focus on increasing rice production as a strategic step towards food self-sufficiency. One of its main efforts is the formation of the Food Brigade (BP), which is focused on optimizing agricultural land in a modern and professional manner.
ŇThe Food Brigade will be the vanguard in managing and optimizing agricultural land in a modern, professional and skilled manner by running business-oriented businesses and generating income and profits,Ó said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman.
Amran said that through the Food Brigade, the Ministry of Agriculture is trying to strengthen national food security and realize food self-sufficiency by increasing agricultural productivity through the application of modern technology and involving the younger generation.
ŇThe Food Brigade manages agricultural land in a structured manner, with a management scale reaching around 200 hectares per brigade. This program also includes optimal management of swamp land and the creation of people’s rice fields, as well as integrating a community-based approach with advanced technology,Ó said Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman.
In addition, the Food Brigade is given support in the form of agricultural tools and machinery, training, and access to superior seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. ŇThis program not only increases national food production but also creates a modern agribusiness ecosystem that empowers the younger generation,Ó he said.
One of the keys to success in increasing food production according to Amran is the use of agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan). By utilizing alsintan, it can help speed up the process of land processing, planting, and harvesting.
ŇIn a situation where agricultural labor is decreasing, agricultural machinery is a solution to ensure that the agricultural process continues to run smoothly. With the use of agricultural machinery, land management is more structured, including optimizing swamp land and creating people’s rice fields,Ó said Minister Amran.
The Indonesian government also emphasized that it would not import rice until the end of 2026. Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), said that national rice absorption had reached 1.5 million tons by the end of April 2025. This figure shows the success of the government’s food self-sufficiency strategy.
Zulhas is optimistic that the target of absorbing 2 million tons of rice by the end of the year will be achieved.
“This is supported by the acceleration of fertilizer distribution and the reduction of bureaucratic chains that accelerate the process of food production and distribution,” said Zulhas.
Zulhas also emphasized the importance of building a comprehensive village economic ecosystem, including increasing income, improving nutrition, and ensuring public health. Under President Prabowo’s direction, all of these strategic steps are aimed at strengthening national food security and people’s welfare.
With the increase in rice production and the strategic policies implemented, Indonesia is on the right track to achieving food self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on imports.
With the positive trend that continues to develop, the food self-sufficiency program is expected to not only guarantee national food security, but also increase the competitiveness of Indonesia’s agricultural sector in the global market. []
