By: Arman Panggabean
President Prabowo Subianto’s State of the Union Address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) marked a significant milestone in the government’s policy direction toward realizing national food sovereignty. Addressing the representatives, the President emphasized that the country must no longer be trapped in dependence on imported food. To this end, he emphasized two key strategies: the development of the Red and White Cooperative as a means of distributing affordable food and increasing agricultural production, marked by a record-high national rice stock in Indonesian history.
In his speech, the President stated that one of the fundamental problems in the Indonesian economy is the excessive concentration of money circulation in large cities. Therefore, the government is committed to establishing 80,000 village cooperatives and Merah Putih sub-district cooperatives. The goal is clear: to provide access to affordable food while opening up opportunities for grassroots businesses.
This statement isn’t just political rhetoric. The program design shows that cooperatives will not only provide affordable basic necessities like rice and cooking oil, but also act as distribution channels for strategic subsidized goods like 3-kg LPG cylinders and fertilizer. Furthermore, cooperatives will manage savings and loan businesses, health clinics, village pharmacies, and integrated logistics systems. This means that cooperatives will become a complete economic ecosystem at the village level, not just shops selling cheap goods.
This idea aligns with the spirit of a people’s economy championed by the nation’s founders. The President emphasized that ordinary people must have access to quality, affordable food, including animal protein such as fish and meat. This statement demonstrates the view that food is not just about satiety, but also about nutrition and quality of life.
The Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Ahmad Muzani, on the same occasion added that the Red and White Cooperative is a tool for the people’s economic struggle to become economically strong. He emphasized that cooperatives are a form of village economic modernization rooted in mutual cooperation. This statement is worthy of attention, given that cooperatives have a long history in the Indonesian economic system. However, over the past few decades, the existence of cooperatives has often been overlooked, often becoming merely a formality without real activity. If this program is implemented consistently, the Red and White Cooperative could become a new milestone in the revival of cooperatives in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the President also highlighted the historic achievement in national rice availability. He announced that rice stocks in the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouses had reached 4.2 million tons, the highest level since the agency’s founding in 1969. This figure is not merely a statistical record, but also a strong signal that food self-sufficiency is no longer just talk but a reality that is beginning to be realized.
The President emphasized that for the first time in decades, Indonesia has resumed exporting rice and corn. This statement is significant because Indonesia has long been known as a country prone to rice imports, especially during the lean season. Exports demonstrate a production surplus and signal the success of the government’s policy of strengthening agricultural productivity.
Concrete steps supporting this achievement include the opening of 2 million hectares of new agricultural land, with a primary focus in Merauke, South Papua. This region is considered a future food barn, given its vast land availability and agronomic potential. Furthermore, the government has raised the purchase price of unhusked rice to IDR 6,500 per kilogram. This policy is not only an economic incentive but also a form of appreciation for farmers’ hard work. With stable and profitable unhusked rice prices, farmers have the certainty to continue planting and increase productivity.
In addition to pricing, the President also mentioned the reduction of bureaucracy in fertilizer distribution and the provision of assistance with modern agricultural tools and machinery. This demonstrates a holistic approach: not only expanding land and guaranteeing prices, but also improving production efficiency through mechanization. This policy reflects a long-term focus on creating modern, productive, and sustainable agriculture.
The official statement from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) stating that rice stocks are 4,251,259 tons further strengthens the government’s claim. Of this total, government reserves account for 4,237,120 tons, while commercial stocks are 14,139 tons. This data demonstrates the government’s ability to manage strategic food reserves better than in previous periods. This record also provides a sense of security for the public amid the threat of a global food crisis that frequently threatens various countries.
When linked to the Red and White Cooperative program, this rice stock achievement will have a broader impact. With cooperative-managed distribution, affordable rice from government reserves can reach the public more quickly. There will no longer be a long distribution chain that often drives market prices significantly higher than those in Bulog warehouses. In other words, the combination of abundant production and efficient distribution can be the key to achieving food sovereignty.
However, there are certainly significant challenges that must be anticipated. Cooperatives in Indonesia have often faced governance issues, corruption, and minimal member participation. Similarly, in the agricultural sector, the opening of new land often faces environmental issues and agrarian conflicts. Therefore, the success of government programs will depend heavily on transparent, professional, and pro-people implementation.
Ultimately, the President’s vision of providing affordable, high-quality food through the Red and White Cooperative, along with the success in achieving a record national rice stock, served as crucial starting points. However, as Indonesia’s long history of agricultural development reminds us, success is determined not only by central government policies, but also by consistent implementation at the regional level and the active participation of the people. With mutual cooperation and good governance, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to make food sovereignty not just a slogan but a reality that will transform the nation’s economy.
*) Social Policy Observer – Madani Institute Social Institution
