"Food is the cornerstone of life; its availability ensures stability, while its absence can threaten the very foundation of a state," Sulaiman stated after distributing the Food Security Module for Villages to farmers' representatives.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta, he made the statement during the launch of the Village Day commemoration in Subang, West Java, on Tuesday (January 14).
On that occasion, Sulaiman reminded leaders of villages of Indonesia's target to achieve self-sufficiency in food by 2027, which has been set by President Prabowo Subianto.
"President Prabowo Subianto has pushed for the realization of food self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. We will be able to achieve this goal by working hand in hand," he told village heads.
The minister then addressed young rural citizens, encouraging them to play a prominent role in developing Indonesia's agriculture sector.
"You do not have to be ashamed of living in a village. All ministers here hail from villages. I myself came from a foothill in a remote area in the east. Note that it is possible for all of us to achieve global success, although we were born in a village," he affirmed.
Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto, for his part, praised the sound collaboration among ministries and other state institutions on food.
"The government aims to build food security from villages while enabling such regions to export their products. These objectives hinge on collaboration," he stated.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan highlighted that the government had decided to increase its purchasing price for unhusked rice and corn to drive the food self-sufficiency goal while serving farmers' interests.
"I would like to ask village heads to monitor the implementation of this policy so that we can achieve food self-sufficiency as soon as possible," he remarked.
The government has designated January 15, 2025, as the first Village Day, according to Presidential Decree No. 23 of 2024.
During the kick-off of the celebration, several leaders of ministries and other national institutions jointly announced the Subang Declaration.
Related news: Indonesia looking to end rice imports from next year
Related news: Govt ensures Bulog to absorb millennial farmers' harvests
Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
