“Disruptions to food security will certainly lead to national instability,” he remarked during a public lecture for leadership education students of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) in Jakarta on Thursday (July 24), according to a statement cited on Friday.
He emphasized that the government's ability to provide sufficient food for its citizens has impacts beyond the economy, extending to social stability and also national security.
Further supporting his point, the minister quoted Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno, who said food plays a decisive role in a nation's sustainability.
“Erroneous analysis of food issues could lead to consequences even more disastrous than corruption,” Sulaiman stressed.
With this in mind, he highlighted that President Prabowo Subianto holds a steadfast commitment to bolstering Indonesia’s agriculture sector to achieve food self-sufficiency.
The minister highlighted that this commitment has been translated into seven strategic presidential instructions, including provisions governing subsidized fertilizers, unhusked rice pricing, and irrigation systems.
“The distribution of fertilizers has become much simpler and more efficient, thanks to streamlined bureaucratic processes that allow fertilizers to reach farmers more easily,” he elaborated.
He remarked that a series of pro-farmer initiatives and policies had enabled Indonesia to set a new record in rice production.
“Praise be to God, our rice production has hit its highest record. This is not a coincidence — this is the fruit of the government’s concrete support for our farmers,” he emphasized.
The minister then called on all Lemhannas students to actively participate in strengthening Indonesia’s food security, as they are envisioned as the nation's future leaders.
“Food security extends beyond technical matters — it is a strategic issue requiring leadership support from both central and regional governments,” he told the audience.
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Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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