Minister Of Agriculture Amran Wants To Make Jambi A Wheat Development Experiment Project

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman said Jambi was an experimental project for the development of the first wheat plant in Indonesia.

"Currently, wheat plants will be the next focus for food self-sufficiency in accordance with President Prabowo's directives," Amran said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, July 24.

Amran made a working visit to Jambi Province on July 23 and 24, 2025, in the context of the rice planting program in Kerinci Regency.

The Minister of Agriculture said that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently prioritizing the development of wheat plants as part of a strategy to strengthen national food security.

The Ministry of Agriculture identifies wheat as a strategic commodity that requires intensive development. To support this plan, the ministry has sent delegates to Jordan and Brazil to conduct agro-thick studies.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture has also built strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including universities, industries, and the Indonesian National Army (TNI), to support the research and development of wheat plants.

According to Amran, Kerinci Regency is an area that has the potential for the development of wheat plants because it has a height of more than 800 meters above sea level.

"By considering the height of the region which reaches more than 800 meters above sea level, there is significant potential for the development of wheat cultivation," he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture together with the Jambi Provincial Government will collaborate by deploying a field team.

This trial is planned to cover an area of 200 hectares in Jambi, then will be continued with a trial of 200 hectares in Bengkulu, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Riau.

Amran is considering importing seeds from Brazil, which have been done before.

He hopes that production can reach 20 tons, and future generations can continue these efforts.

"Interestingly, it is hoped that this can become a legacy for Indonesia's history, not only Jambi's history, but also the history of Indonesia pioneered by Jambi," he hoped.

Meanwhile, Jambi Governor Al Haris positively welcomed the interest of the Minister of Agriculture to start a pilot project for planting wheat in Jambi Province, considering the potential for the Kerinci area which has an altitude above 800 meters above 800 meters above sea level.

"I assume that the second point he is interested in is wheat. This potential, in my opinion, is very promising. Maybe there will be a pilot project from the Ministry of Agriculture and the provincial government, if successful, Jambi has the potential to be a pioneer in the development of wheat in Indonesia," said Al Haris.