President Prabowo: Indonesia Poised to Become World’s Food Barn

President Prabowo Subianto arrives at the inauguration of the five dams, at Meninting dam, West Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara province, Friday (07/10).

With rising national food production and supporting infrastructure development, President Prabowo Subianto expressed confidence Indonesia will become the global food barn.

“Every rupiah of the people’s money must be utilized and enjoyed by the Indonesian people. I am confident we will become the world’s granary,” the President said at the inauguration of five dams across several regions at Meninting dam, West Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara province, Friday (07/10).

The Head of State further said that dams must be professionally managed to genuinely support agricultural productivity.

“Also, ensure that the water reaches the farmers. Farmers are the food producers. Without food, there is no nation,” he added.

According to President Prabowo, Indonesia is beginning to show progress in the food sector and the country, once reliant on imports, is shifting toward food exports and has gained trust from several countries to supply their agricultural needs.

“Even Australia asked us for help. They asked us to sell urea to them, as did Brazil, the Philippines, and India. Indonesia now, without much fanfare, is showing that it is a nation on the rise and will continue to rise,” he added.

The President reaffirmed commitment to strengthen the Free Nutritious Meals program (MBG) as an investment in preparing a healthy, high-quality generation, adding that the program must be implemented consistently so Indonesian children receive adequate nutrition from an early age.

“I’d like to see all Indonesians live in prosperity. I’d like to see our disadvantaged people smile because they find hope. I do not want to see our people live in poverty. I do not want to see our children suffer from hunger. We will continue the MBG program,” the President said.

The Head of State also instructed regional heads, government officials, and security forces to monitor MBG program implementation to prevent misuse, and underscored that every state budget allocation must be used for the people’s benefit.

“I order governors, regents, subdistrict heads, village chiefs to inspect all MBG kitchens. Please report to the Head of BGN (the National Nutrition Agency) if you found any misuse, and if necessary, report directly to me,” he said.

The President also stated that the inaugurated dams symbolize broader development to transform Indonesia into a developed nation. He added that the Government will carry out strategic infrastructure projects to support food and energy security

“We need larger dams. We will build a 100-gigawatt solar power plant. We will carry out large-scale development. People will see what a rising Indonesia looks like. We will prove Indonesia will rise to become a great nation,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/TM)