Prabowo Asks The Indonesian Army To Manage Food Security, The Army Chief Of Staff Will Continue The Utilization Of Sleeping Land

Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak (center) during a press conference after the TNI AD Rapim at Kartini Hall, South Jakarta, Monday (3/1/2025). ANTARA/Walda Marison

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto asked the Indonesian Army to focus on managing food security problems in order to strengthen food barns in the regions.

This was conveyed by Prabowo to the ranks of Indonesian Army officials through a video conference at a meeting of the leadership of the Indonesian Army which was held at Balai Kartini, South Jakarta, Monday, February 3.

"Earlier on the sidelines of rapim, there was also a briefing from the President, that the President was very focused on this food issue," said Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak to reporters after holding a rapid, confiscated by Antara.

Maruli immediately followed up the president's order by continuing several food security programs such as utilizing sleeping land throughout Indonesia into plantations and food barns.

In the process of utilizing the land, the Indonesian Army cooperated with several parties including PT Perkebunan Nasional (PTPN) and the Ministry of Forestry. The cooperation was carried out so that the use of land did not conflict with the permit so that it could be processed optimally.

"We have made it, yes, it is in Cibenda, Ciemas, later there will be more in Purwakarta, in Cianjur, in Puslatpur, Lampung, Baturaja," he said.

Not only cooperating with ministries and state companies, the Indonesian Army also cooperates with the local community in the land processing process.

In addition, Maruli has also built thousands of water points in several areas to be used as a source of water for this agricultural land.

"We already have a pipeline, there is a hydrant pump that we can do that can irrigate about 50 thousand hectares of land," Maruli explained.

Later, the agricultural products managed by TNI soldiers can be used for the benefit of the community.

Maruli ensured that the food security program would continue for the realization of food self-sufficiency as stated by Prabowo Subianto.