Deputy Minister Sudaryono Affirms That The Prabowo-Gibran Government Will Make Indonesia Achieve Food Self-Sufficiency

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono emphasized that the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will make Indonesia achieve food self-sufficiency.

"Food self-sufficiency is not only about rice, but also other commodities. We start with rice as the main staple. In the agricultural sector, we make sure all components such as fertilizers, extension workers, irrigation, and seeds have been completed," said the Deputy Minister in a statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Saturday, January 25.

Sudaryono emphasized that President Prabowo's government continues to be committed to fixing the Indonesian agricultural sector. According to him, the Indonesian agricultural sector is currently experiencing significant progress.

Deputy Minister Sudaryono or who is familiarly called Mas Dar stated that the government is working hard to ensure Indonesia's main food commodities can be met from within the country without relying on imports.

"Brice, God willing, this year it will be finished. Corn is finished, sugar is finished. Furthermore, we focus on other commodities that are still imported, such as milk, meat, garlic, or soybeans. As directed by the President, we will finish everything," said Deputy Minister Sudaryono at the Prabowo-Gibran Month Special Event at the Defense University campus, Bogor, West Java.

He added, as part of efforts to realize food sovereignty, the government has implemented strategic policies, including increasing the distribution of fertilizers, providing free seeds, and distributing agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan) evenly throughout the region.

He explained that the improvement of the agricultural sector is not only focused on rice, but also on other food commodities.

In addition, the Deputy Minister continued, the government targets Indonesia not only to achieve self-sufficiency, but also to become the world's exporter and food barn.

With its various potentials, it is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to become a world food barn.

"After achieving self-sufficiency, we want to become an exporter and a food barn, not only for the needs of the Indonesian people, but also for the world. With great potential in terms of population, geography, and geopolitical, Indonesia must become a world food center," he said.

He revealed, within three months of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, positive results began to be felt.

Where, national food production shows a significant increase. So that this has the potential to reduce Indonesia's dependence on imports.

"The impact has been felt. Our production has increased, and because Indonesia is no longer importing, world rice prices have dropped dramatically. Previously, we were the biggest importers, but now we are independent," he said.

However, Sudaryono also reminded that there is homework that must be completed immediately, especially regarding the readiness of Perum Bulog to absorb grain during the main harvest, in accordance with the Government Purchase Price (HPP) which is set at IDR 6,500 per kilogram.

Our current homework is Bulog's readiness to absorb grain during the main harvest, in accordance with the President's instructions. The HPP is IDR 6,500, and this must be carried out optimally," said the Deputy Minister.

With the various policies and efforts being implemented, he stated that the government has ambitions to make Indonesia a food-independent country and play an important role in the global food market.