Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has called for urgent measures to curb the influx of imported cassava and its derivatives, citing concerns over its impact on local farmers’ income, productivity, and competitiveness.
He spoke of having sent a letter to Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, proposing an immediate coordination meeting involving the Industry Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Trade Ministry to address the issue.
"The letter reflects the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture to protect domestic cassava farmers currently facing difficulties in selling their harvests on account of the influx of imported products," he noted in a statement cited here on Sunday.
The proposal letter, signed on May 14, came in response to a report from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), which showed a rise in the volume of imported cassava and derivative products between 2023 and 2024.
"In order to protect farmers and stabilize prices at the producer level, strategic measures must be taken to control imports. We should consider imposing limited restrictions on the entry of cassava and several of its derivative products," Sulaiman explained.
The minister highlighted that many farmers had raised concerns about the import surge, blaming it for their difficulty in selling harvests at favorable prices.
Bearing this in mind, he warned that failing to curb cassava imports would dampen domestic productivity and severely affect farmers in cassava-producing regions.
Sulaiman also linked the issue to President Prabowo Subianto’s broader agenda to strengthen food security, prioritize local raw materials, and accelerate downstream agricultural development.
“If our domestic supply is sufficient, why should we rely on imports?” he argued. “This is about standing with our farmers and having the courage to make bold decisions in support of food sovereignty.” he asserted.
Related news: Indonesia to limit cassava, tapioca imports to aid farmers
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He spoke of having sent a letter to Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, proposing an immediate coordination meeting involving the Industry Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Trade Ministry to address the issue.
"The letter reflects the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture to protect domestic cassava farmers currently facing difficulties in selling their harvests on account of the influx of imported products," he noted in a statement cited here on Sunday.
The proposal letter, signed on May 14, came in response to a report from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), which showed a rise in the volume of imported cassava and derivative products between 2023 and 2024.
"In order to protect farmers and stabilize prices at the producer level, strategic measures must be taken to control imports. We should consider imposing limited restrictions on the entry of cassava and several of its derivative products," Sulaiman explained.
The minister highlighted that many farmers had raised concerns about the import surge, blaming it for their difficulty in selling harvests at favorable prices.
Bearing this in mind, he warned that failing to curb cassava imports would dampen domestic productivity and severely affect farmers in cassava-producing regions.
Sulaiman also linked the issue to President Prabowo Subianto’s broader agenda to strengthen food security, prioritize local raw materials, and accelerate downstream agricultural development.
“If our domestic supply is sufficient, why should we rely on imports?” he argued. “This is about standing with our farmers and having the courage to make bold decisions in support of food sovereignty.” he asserted.
Related news: Indonesia to limit cassava, tapioca imports to aid farmers
Related news: BRIN pushes cassava-based food diversification to prevent food crisis
Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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