Gov’t Speeds Up Food Self-Sufficiency Target to One Year

Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman delivers a press statement to the media at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (11/20).

President Prabowo Subianto, Thursday (11/20), chaired a limited cabinet meeting on the progress of national food security that was attended by several relevant ministers at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

According to Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, the meeting discussed the progress of national food security as well as a number of achievements and strategic plans in the food and livestock sectors.

“We reported on the latest developments in food [sector], particularly rice. Insyaallah, on December 31 at 12:00, if everything goes as planned, within 30 to 40 days, Indonesia will achieve food self-sufficiency. That is the first point. Although this was originally a four-year target, Insyaallah, we will accomplish it within one year,” the Minister said in his press statement.

Furthermore, Amran underlined that this achievement is a major progress of the Government’s initial projection, adding that the push for accelerated rice self-sufficiency is the result of President Prabowo’s directives and big idea from the beginning of his administration.

“This major initiative comes from the President. Initially, our target was four years. After 21 days, it was revised to three years, and after 45 days, it was revised again to one year. With full support in terms of regulations and financing, alhamdulillah, we can achieve this in a much shorter timeframe,” Amran stated.

During the meeting, Amran also reported plans to strengthen the smallholder livestock ecosystem from the upstream side to maintain stable prices for animal feed, vaccines, and medicines, and ensure the sustainability of livestock businesses nationwide.

“We are establishing the Cost of Goods Sold (HPP). The HPP must be well-maintained. The selling price, the HPP for livestock and eggs, and then the Highest Retail Price (HET) for animal feed will be set. This will prevent significant price fluctuations,” he said.

On that occasion, Amran underscored that the Government is preparing to construct animal feed mills in 12 locations during the first phase and 18 locations during the second phase, with a total budget allocation of Rp20 trillion in order to support this ambitious plan. This infrastructure is intended to benefit small-scale livestock farmers.

“So, we will first build animal feed mills in 12 locations, followed by another 18 locations in the second phase. The budget amounts to Rp20 trillion. Once again, the development is designated for small-scale livestock farmers, to ensure they receive the necessary support,” the Minister remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RIF/MMB)