Prabowo sees Indonesia emerging as global food power

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia could become a major global food supplier as rice yields rise sharply through agricultural modernization, President Prabowo Subianto said, underscoring food security as a pillar of economic resilience and national development.

“I think we will become the world’s food barn before long. We will be able to help many countries,” Prabowo said after observing an advanced farming technology demonstration in Gorontalo on Wednesday.

The president said Indonesia’s improving production outlook reflects broader adoption of agricultural innovation and technology designed to strengthen food security and boost farm productivity.

He credited Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman with driving what he described as transformative innovations, technologies and farming methods involving growers, researchers and agricultural professionals.

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Despite recent gains, Prabowo cautioned against complacency and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum through long-term policies and sustainable agricultural development.

“We should be grateful and maintain this momentum,” he said, adding that farmers must enjoy better living standards while gaining faster access to modern technologies.

The president also emphasized intensification, extensification and downstream processing as key strategies to raise output, create value-added products and strengthen Indonesia’s agricultural competitiveness.

The approach, he said, should extend beyond rice and corn to include cassava, sugar, soybeans, sorghum and sago, broadening the country’s food production base.

Prabowo expressed confidence that a stronger agriculture sector would enhance Indonesia’s ability to withstand global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

“All major countries are sustained by strong agriculture. With strong food production, we will be able to face many challenges ahead,” he said.

The government plans to expand agricultural technologies nationwide, with the goal of helping every sub-district, district and province achieve greater food self-sufficiency.

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Translator: Aditya R, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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