Presiden Prabowo Tunggangi Machine Kupas Corn Saat Panen Raya Di Bengkayang Kalbar

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto operates the harvest engine "corn combiner planter" at the Second Quarter of 2025 Corn Harvest event at Harry Hadisoemantri Air Base, Sanggau Ledo District, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, Thursday (5/6/2025). ANTARA/Fathur Rochman

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto harvests corn by operating a corn combine plant planter at the 2025 Quarter II Corn Harvest event at Harry Hadisoemantri Air Base, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, Thursday.

Based on ANTARA's monitoring, Prabowo was seen riding the machine accompanied by an operator. Behind him, the National Police Chief, General Pol. Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman participated.

Prabowo operates the tool for about 100 meters. Hundreds of residents seemed enthusiastic to witness the moment from around the harvest area. They shouted and applauded as the Head of State operated the heavy equipment.

In addition to harvesting corn, the President also released the first export of 1,200 tons of corn for IDR 5,900.00 per kilogram to Sarawak, Malaysia.

"By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, Thursday, June 5, 2025, I will send the first export of 1,200 tons of corn to Malaysia," said Prabowo.

Prabowo also inaugurated PT Pangan Merah Putih's warehouse and corn dryer in West Kalimantan

The warehouse facilities and corn dryer factories are located on Bukit Tinggi Street, Sebalo Village, Bengkayang District. This warehouse has a capacity of up to 5,000 tons with a drying capacity of up to 300 tons per day.

The facility is projected to become a local corn distribution center, as well as strengthen commodity downstreaming and increase the economic value of the West Kalimantan agricultural sector.

In addition to inaugurating PT Pangan Merah Putih, the President also inaugurated the groundbreaking of 18 Polri warehouses in 12 Polda. This facility will be used as a storage center for national corn production.

In his speech, Prabowo stated that Indonesia previously still imported around 500,000 tons of corn.

However, the President targets that by 2026 Indonesia will no longer import corn, it can even start exporting.

The President appreciated the guarantees from the Minister of Agriculture and the National Police Chief who stated that the target could be achieved.

"I was given guarantees by two great Indonesian figures, the Minister of Agriculture and the National Police Chief guaranteed that by 2026 Indonesia would no longer import corn," said Prabowo.

The President also expressed his appreciation for the results of research and trials of corn derivative products carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives fostered by the Police.

Some of the products developed include corn chips and various other preparations. Prabowo also mentioned the possibility of developing corn rice as an alternative that is healthier than ordinary rice.

In the report he received, it recorded an increase in corn production by 48 percent in the first quarter of this year. Production, which was previously around 6 million tonnes in the same period last year, has now approached 9 million tonnes.

With this growth, it is estimated that corn self-sufficiency can be achieved more quickly than planned.

"This means that the self-sufficiency in corn may be faster, Mr. Minister, I think so. The important thing is that we make a good effort," said the President.