AHY And Amran Sulaiman Discuss Synergy And Improvement Infrastructure To Realize Food Self-Sufficiency

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development AHY and Minister of Agriculture Amran Sualiman. (IST)

JAKARTA - The government is strengthening infrastructure synergies to pursue food self-sufficiency targets. Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) said that he received a direct message from President Prabowo. The President emphasized the importance of the success of the national food program.

For this reason, the Coordinating Ministry for Regional Infrastructure and Development coordinates to discuss infrastructure synergies in supporting food self-sufficiency priority programs.

"FOOD is a top priority that must be achieved and every relevant ministry is required to coordinate in an integrated manner to ensure the availability of infrastructure that supports the agricultural sector," said Coordinating Minister AHY after chairing a cross-ministerial meeting at the office of the Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development, Jakarta, on Thursday (31/10/2024).

Indonesian President Prabowo has set a target for Indonesia to achieve self-sufficiency in food within the next three to four years.

Referring to the target set by the President, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman conveyed to Coordinating Minister AHY that food affairs are a priority national program for the Red and White cabinet whose law must be successful. Therefore, ministries/agencies under the control of the Coordinating Minister regarding the provision of infrastructure must be integrated, so that significant obstacles are not found.

"Even though the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is under the coordination of the Coordinating Minister for Food, considering that food self-sufficiency is the President's national program, the relevant coordinating minister, such as the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure, is also expected to help resolve the obstacles to the president's flagship program, especially in anticipating the availability of water for the agricultural sector," said Minister of Agriculture Amran.

To achieve food self-sufficiency, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched a rice field printing program of 3 million hectares. In addition, agricultural center areas connected to irrigation and dams provided by the Ministry of Public Works (PU).

"The optimization of existing infrastructure is key. The use of newly built dams and irrigation canals must be completed immediately to ensure stability of water supply to agricultural land," said Amran.

Not only infrastructure support, Amran also highlighted the need for cross-ministerial coordination to handle data differences and strengthen synergies with the Ministry of Home Affairs so that coaching at the local government level is more optimal.

"With integrated cooperation between ministries and full support from the government, Indonesia is optimistic that it can achieve food self-sufficiency in the near future, in line with the President's big vision for strong and sustainable national food security," said Amran.

Apart from the Minister of Agriculture Amran, the meeting was also attended by the Minister of Transmigration Iftitah Sulaiman and Deputy Minister of Public Works, Diana Kusumastuti.