By: Budi Sumantoro *)
Achieving food self-sufficiency is a great ideal that continues to be pursued by the Indonesian government as part of the national development strategy. In facing global dynamics, the challenges of climate change, and the increasing need for food, the government’s commitment is not only realized through policies, but also through real work across sectors, institutions, and regions. Support for this self-sufficiency program is part of the national consolidation towards national independence in the food sector.
One of the concrete steps being promoted is the transformation of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) in the food sector. PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara (Persero), which was formed from the merger of three BUMN karya, now has a strategic mandate to manage the food chain from upstream to downstream. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, said that the presence of Agrinas is not merely pursuing business profits, but carrying out public service functions. This company is directed to become an extension of the state in reaching remote areas, especially areas that have so far escaped the attention of the private sector. Papua is now real evidence of how government policies reach the outermost regions in the spirit of national development justice.
Within the framework of agricultural modernization, the government continues to encourage the use of modern agricultural tools and machines. President Prabowo Subianto has specifically given direction for agricultural mechanization to be increased in order to increase productivity and efficiency. This is reinforced by the synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrinas in accelerating the adoption of technology in the national agricultural sector. This step has resulted in increased production in various regions, demonstrating the effectiveness of President Prabowo’s direction.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also actively accelerating the land optimization program as part of the food self-sufficiency strategy. Through the Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan), the government distributes agricultural machinery assistance to various regions, including border areas such as Merauke, South Papua. Not only tools, but also technical training is provided so that farmers are able to operate and maintain the tools. With full support from the center, Merauke is now repositioned as one of the national food barns, continuing its historical legacy since the era of rice field printing in 2014. This kind of approach shows that the government is not just sending tools, but building an integrated and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
Food self-sufficiency also requires guarantees for the continuity of production amidst the various risks faced by farmers. In this regard, Indonesia Financial Group (IFG) shows an important role as a holding company for state-owned enterprises in the insurance and investment sectors. Through PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Jasindo), IFG is expanding the scope of the Rice Farming Insurance (AUTP) program to protect farmers from the risk of crop failure due to natural disasters, pest attacks, and other external factors. By the end of 2024, hundreds of thousands of farmers and hundreds of thousands of hectares of land have been covered by this insurance protection. The value of claims distributed, as recorded in West Java, proves that this mechanism is effective in providing a sense of security for farmers to continue producing.
Jasindo’s contribution is not only limited to providing financial protection, but also includes education and increasing agricultural insurance literacy for farmers. This approach is very important considering that most farmers in Indonesia are not yet familiar with the risk protection system. With increased understanding, farmers can be more confident in managing their land, including making more progressive decisions in their farming efforts. This proves that the government’s educational program is able to change the mindset of farmers towards modernization. This initiative is in line with the government’s vision to create an agricultural ecosystem that is not only productive, but also resilient to various forms of crisis.
Meanwhile, at the regional level, support for national policies continues to be encouraged. Kuningan Regency is one example of a region that is responsive to central programs. The Regency Government, in collaboration with the legislature and the Ministry of Agriculture, has succeeded in securing large amounts of agricultural machinery assistance, including tractors, water pumps, and modern harvesting machines. This effort is not only aimed at increasing the planting index, but also expanding the planting area, which will ultimately boost regional food production. No less important, this region also showed good performance in the National Rice Absorption Program, with absorption achievements exceeding the national target.
In the long term, the success of food self-sufficiency will be largely determined by the synergy between the center and regions, between government institutions and BUMN, and between society and the state. The government does not only work alone, but opens up space for participation of all elements of the nation while maintaining leadership and strategic direction from the center. In this case, the role of the private sector, TNI-Polri, academics, and civil society is very important to support stability, guidance, and distribution of information and technology to farmers.
Progressive steps such as strengthening production capacity, modernizing facilities, and protecting against farming risks show that the government is very serious about making the agricultural sector the foundation of national resilience. Global challenges that threaten the world’s food supply have not dampened Indonesia’s enthusiasm to stand on its own two feet. Food self-sufficiency is not just a numerical target, but a manifestation of national sovereignty. Therefore, supporting every government program in this sector is a strategic and sustainable step for the future of an independent and prosperous Indonesia.
*) Literacy Activist/Madani Jaya Farmers Group
