Minister Of Agriculture Wants Indonesia To Be Self-Sufficiency In Rice For A Maximum Of 3 Years, How To Do It?

Illustration of workers lifting rice from Bulog's warehouse. (doc Bulog)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman wants Indonesia to be self-sufficient or not import rice at all in the next two to three years or a maximum in 2026.

"Yes (swasembada), back to normal. (Indonesia can self-sufficiency) 2 to 3 years, a maximum of 3 years. It could be 2 years," Amran said in Jakarta, Friday, October 27, confiscated by Antara.

The government assigns an assignment to Perum Bulog to import rice in 2022 and continues in 2023.

According to him, Indonesia was self-sufficiency in 2017 or during its leadership in the Ministry of Agriculture last period. Even in 2017, Amran added, there were no imports of medium rice at all.

Reflecting on his experience, Amran believes Indonesia can achieve self-sufficiency again. Given that his position as Minister of Agriculture in this period is only less than a year old, Amran said his party is trying to build a policy foundation first and is expected to continue in the next few years.

"One year we put the foundation. The foundation is like we have put it first. One year put the foundation, hopefully the next one who continues (employees at the Ministry of Agriculture) will just have to walk. Only the ministers will be changed," he said.

Through self-sufficiency, Amran is also optimistic that Indonesia can realize its dream of becoming a world food barn in 2045. Moreover, according to him, this is also supported by Indonesian human resources in agriculture which are considered to have undoubted greatness.

If Indonesia wants to achieve self-sufficiency again, Amran also reminded the importance of giving farmers ample space to reap a decent profit from the production.

"Anyone who is given a profit space will be productive. But if they lose, they will shed tears and be deterrent to produce. That's logical," he said.