Prabowo Gibran TKN’s Communication Team Commander, Budisatrio Djiwandono, explained that the nation’s self-sufficiency in food will be the top priority if the number 2 pair is elected to lead Indonesia. This is crucial because a food crisis is imminent.
“The main sectors targeted for self-sufficiency by Prabowo Gibran are food, water, and energy. In these sectors, we must no longer rely on imports. Specifically regarding food, Mr. Prabowo has stated that food is a matter of life and death for a nation,” said Budisatrio to reporters in Jakarta (Sunday, 13/1).
The head of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission IV, which oversees agriculture, food, and maritime affairs, explained that Indonesia is currently facing a food deficit due to population growth accompanied by a decrease in land productivity. He cited the crisis in rice production as an example.
“BPS data shows that our population increases by about 3 million people each year. And this population growth is not accompanied by an increase in the cultivated land. However, rice is consumed by almost all citizens,” he said.
Budisatrio further explained that this deficit cannot be covered by relying on imports from abroad.
“Learning from the wheat incident during the Ukraine-Russia war, the supply chain was disrupted, causing a sharp increase in the price of wheat, which is highly dependent on imports. We must not let this happen with rice, which is our main food,” he said.
To address this issue, Prabowo Gibran aims to increase the cultivated land by a minimum of four million hectares in a program called Lumbung Pangan (Food Barn).
“This food barn will start at the smallest level in villages by farmers, up to the national level by continuing the food estate. The method is by increasing the planting index, intensification, and utilization of idle land,” Budisatrio said.
“Digital technology for agriculture will also be a priority. We will develop new fields and increase the productivity of existing land with digital and modern tools and technology. There is no other choice, this must be done,” he continued.
In the context of the presidential election, Budisatrio urged that the food crisis be a healthy discussion as it is related to the future of the country.
“Prioritizing the issue of food should be a mutual agreement. We actually look forward to a variety of ideas to address the food crisis from each pair of candidates. From Prabowo Gibran, it is clear that we will continue the food estate and improve it into a Food Barn,” Budisatrio concluded. (SENOPATI)
