The Importance of Supporting the Food Self-Sufficiency Program and the Policy to Stop Rice Imports
By: Rivka Mayangsari*)
Indonesia, as an agricultural country with fertile soil, has great potential to achieve food self-sufficiency. With extraordinary agricultural potential, Indonesia has a great opportunity to be independent in meeting its food needs.
However, major challenges in the agricultural sector have made dependence on food imports a problem that continues to be faced. The government’s policy to stop rice imports and strengthen the food self-sufficiency program is a strategic step that needs to be fully supported by all parties.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono said that the government continues to be committed to improving Indonesia’s agricultural sector. According to him, the agricultural sector is experiencing significant progress. Sudaryono explained that food self-sufficiency does not only include rice, but also various other commodities. The government, he said, began its focus with rice as the main staple food for the Indonesian people.
He also said that the government ensures that all components that support agriculture, such as fertilizers, extension workers, irrigation, and seeds have been managed properly. The government, he continued, is working hard to ensure that Indonesia’s main food commodities can be met domestically without relying on imports. Within three months of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, he said that positive results have begun to be seen with a significant increase in national food production.
However, Sudaryono emphasized that there is still homework that must be completed immediately, especially related to the readiness of Perum Bulog to absorb rice during the main harvest. The government has set the Government Purchase Price (HPP) at IDR 6,500 per kilogram to ensure that farmers’ welfare is maintained.
Agricultural observer from the Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI), Khudori, assessed that the government’s policy to pursue food self-sufficiency within 100 working days of the Prabowo-Gibran administration can be achieved easily. He said that this refers to adequate budget allocation and focused resource management.
Khudori added that with the budget prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Public Works, and subsidies that support agricultural sustainability, Indonesia has great capital to achieve rice self-sufficiency. He assessed that this support includes the provision of seeds, fertilizers, and infrastructure that guarantees water availability.
He also emphasized the importance of a sustainable rice self-sufficiency program. With continuous budget allocation and good management, according to him, this program can continue to run to meet domestic food needs without having to rely on imports.
Head of the Biotech Center IPB University, Dwi Andreas Santosa also provided views on the food self-sufficiency target. According to him, the target needs to be changed from simply achieving self-sufficiency in various commodities to a target of curbing the rate of food imports.
He explained that if the government is able to maintain food imports which currently reach 29 million tons, then this is considered an extraordinary achievement. With effective import control, Indonesia can strengthen the position of its agricultural sector while providing protection to local farmers.
The policy of stopping rice imports has great benefits for the Indonesian economy and food security. First, this policy will provide incentives for local farmers to increase their production. With the guarantee of a stable market and price, farmers will be more motivated to invest in agriculture.
Second, this policy will reduce Indonesia’s dependence on the often unstable international market. Price fluctuations and supply uncertainty in the global market can endanger national food security. By producing food needs domestically, Indonesia can maintain supply and price stability.
Third, this policy will also have a positive impact on the national economy. By reducing imports, the country’s foreign exchange can be diverted to investment in other sectors that support national development.
Public support is the key to the success of the food self-sufficiency program and the policy to stop rice imports. All parties, from farmers, academics, entrepreneurs, to consumers, need to work together to realize this ideal.
As consumers, the public can support this program by choosing local food products. This small step will have a big impact on strengthening the local economy and supporting the welfare of farmers.
The government also needs to continue to provide education to the public about the importance of supporting the food self-sufficiency program. With a good understanding, the public will find it easier to accept the policy and actively contribute to its implementation.
