Youth as the Driving Force for National Food Self-Sufficiency and Sovereignty in the Era of Prabowo-Gibran
By: Juanda Syah*
Youth today play a crucial role in the grand efforts of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s administration to achieve national food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. Achievements in the food sector not only reflect the success of economic development but also mark a renewed spirit among Indonesian youth who are beginning to view agriculture as a strategic field with promising futures. The government has successfully implemented policies that favor farmers, strengthen domestic production, and encourage young people’s involvement in modernizing the national food sector.
Professor Abdul Haris Fatgehipon, a professor at the State University of Jakarta (UNJ), states that the government’s current steps manifest President Prabowo’s firm determination to make Indonesia truly independent in food affairs. According to him, food sovereignty is a prerequisite for a nation that wants to stand tall without foreign intervention. Academically, a nation is only respected when it can meet its food needs independently without relying on imports.
Furthermore, Prof. Abdul Haris Fatgehipon believes the government’s collaborative approach is the key to achieving national food sovereignty. The involvement of various parties, from technical ministries, regional governments, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), the military (TNI), and the police (Polri), shows that the food issue is not the responsibility of a single sector but a national movement across all elements of the nation.
This spirit aligns with Indonesia’s identity as an agrarian and maritime country. The long history of the nation has proven the importance of the food sector in national sovereignty. Haris even recalls the era of Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir in 1946, when newly independent Indonesia was able to send 500,000 tons of rice to India, which was suffering from famine. For Haris, this spirit is now being revived by the Prabowo-Gibran administration through people-centered food policies.
In the past year, the government has implemented various concrete steps to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ welfare. One such step was the significant increase in the agricultural budget and setting Bulog’s rice price at IDR 6,500 per kilogram in 2025. The government also expanded fertilizer subsidies, which can now be accessed simply by using an ID card (KTP), without complicated procedures like requiring a farmer card.
Another important policy is the issuance of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 3 of 2025, which places all agricultural extension workers under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) as central government employees. This step accelerates the farmer assistance process and ensures the effectiveness of field counseling. In addition, the government is speeding up the construction of 48 dams and nine irrigation networks classified as National Strategic Projects (PSN) to boost agricultural productivity.
Prof. Haris also emphasizes the importance of diversifying local food based on regional potential. The government has successfully encouraged the development of alternative food sources such as sago, corn, and tubers, which are more suitable for the ecological conditions across various Indonesian regions. This effort not only strengthens food security but also supports healthier and more sustainable consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers-Fishermen Brotherhood, Tunjung Budi Utomo, appreciates the seriousness of the Prabowo-Gibran administration in achieving national food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. According to him, policies to reduce rice imports and designate Merauke as a national food center with PSN status are monumental steps marking the direction of food development based on independence.
Tunjung sees that the food policy implemented is not only economically oriented but also has a strategic dimension regarding national defense. Food is now positioned as a national defense strength. A country that can meet its own food needs, according to Tunjung, is truly sovereign.
The government’s cross-sector synergy is also a positive note. The involvement of farmers, fishermen, TNI, Polri, state-owned food enterprises, and research institutions strengthens coordination in the national food production and distribution chain. Food Estate programs in Central Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and Merauke are now showing significant results. Production has increased, fertilizer access is easier, agricultural mechanization is expanding, and distribution chains are more efficient.
Furthermore, price stability and controlled food inflation amid global economic pressures indicate the government’s success in managing the food sector comprehensively. The National Strategic Food Reserves policy has proven effective in maintaining supply and prices in the domestic market, ensuring the public has access to staple foods at affordable prices.
Tunjung also notes the government’s growing attention to farmers’ welfare through the Farmers’ Prosperity 2045 program. This program supports the regeneration of young farmers by applying digital technology and smart farming systems. Agriculture is no longer seen as a traditional profession but as a modern field with promising economic and technological innovation.
In his view, the food policies set by President Prabowo are on the right track. What is needed is consistency and firmness in field implementation. Inclusive and sustainable agricultural development is the key so that food self-sufficiency is not just a slogan but truly benefits all Indonesian people.
One year into the Prabowo-Gibran administration has brought significant changes to the national food sector. With a collaborative approach, farmer-friendly policies, and strong commitment to independence, Indonesia is not only able to meet domestic needs but is also beginning to retrace its steps as a respected global food exporter.
The long-held national aspiration for food sovereignty is finally starting to materialize. Through real work, cross-sector synergy, and a grand vision towards national independence, the Prabowo-Gibran administration has set new records in national food production. A new chapter toward a sovereign, prosperous, and competitive Indonesia on the global stage has begun.
*) The author is a student from Jakarta, currently residing in Bandung.
