Budisatrio Djiwandono, the Commander of Team Bravo Communication of the National Campaign Team (TKN) for Prabowo Gibran, 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 essential 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 should no longer rely on imports. Specifically regarding food, Mr. Prabowo has stated that food is a matter of life and death for a nation,” explained Budisatrio to reporters in Jakarta (Sunday, 1/13).
The leader of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission IV, which oversees agriculture, food, and maritime affairs, explained that Indonesia is currently experiencing a food deficit due to population growth and a decrease in land productivity. He gave the example of the crisis that is occurring with rice.
“BPS data shows that our population increases by approximately 3 million people every year. The increase in population is not accompanied by an increase in agricultural 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 other countries.
“We can learn from the situation with wheat during the Ukraine-Russia war. The supply chain was disrupted, causing the price of wheat, which is heavily dependent on imports, to sharply increase. We must ensure that this does not happen with rice, which is our staple food,” he said.
To address this issue, Prabowo Gibran aims to increase the agricultural land by a minimum of four million hectares in a program called the Food Stockpile.
“This Food Stockpile will start from the smallest level, the village level, by the farmers, up to the national level by continuing the food estate. The method is by increasing the planting index, intensifying and utilizing unused land,” Budisatrio explained.
“The digital technology for agriculture will also be a priority. We will create new rice fields and improve 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 should be the subject of a healthy discussion because it is related to the country’s future.
“The focus on food issues should be a common agreement. We look forward to a variety of ideas to address the food crisis from each pair of candidates. From Prabowo Gibran’s perspective, we will continue the food estate and improve it into a Food Stockpile,” Budisatrio concluded. (SENOPATI)
