Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Launching of the Indonesia Planting Movement in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The President of the Republic of Indonesia (Prabowo Subianto)
I am thrilled and proud of the Gerakan Indonesia Menanam (Indonesia Planting Movement) initiative and its success in conducting independent research, innovation, and cooperation among related stakeholders such as religious leaders, businessmen, technocrats, engineers, and experts.
I noticed many experts are involved in this initiative. They include biologists, chemists, agriculturists, and computer experts. This involvement is necessary as today’s agriculture requires science and technology to achieve swasembada (self-sufficiency).
Do you have any idea how much our population increases every year? About 3.5 million people. Imagine in 10 years – there will be 35 million more people; so if we are not innovative and do not utilize technology, we will not have the courage to start building national food barns, provincial food barns, regency food barns, district food barns, and village food barns (for swasembada).
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs said that if every family has five pots of chili, the price of chili will be stable. Therefore, if possible, it would be better if every family could plant chili peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, or even raise catfish for self-sufficiency. The Government will help with planting training, from multilevel planting such as hydroponics to vertical farming.
So now, everyone in this nation has to unite one team to achieve the same goals for a secure, strong, and stable (food sufficiency). We shall not get distracted and disrupted by any external force. We do not want to disturb other nations, but we must also guarantee the welfare of our own people. That concludes my remarks.
Journalists
Mr. President, how do you perceive the agriculture potential of South Sumatra?
The President of the Republic of Indonesia (Prabowo Subianto)
Incredible, very good. I was informed beforehand that the agricultural production in South Sumatra is projected to increase by 25%. (TCUD/EP)