"Going forward, we are committed to ensuring that Indonesia no longer relies on soybean imports to meet domestic needs," Sjamsoeddin said in Lampung Utara District, Lampung Province, on Wednesday.
He added that the harvest of soybeans in Lampung today marks a significant milestone in Indonesia's food security history, with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) playing a leading role in this transformation.
"On the 30-hectare plot of land owned by the Indonesian Navy, approximately 60 tons of soybeans were harvested. This is the initial proof of success for the national soybean self-sufficiency program," he explained.
The program aims to reduce dependency on imports and transform Indonesia into a soybean exporter within the next two to three years.
"Indonesia will no longer be a soybean-importing country; we must become an exporting nation," Sjamsoeddin emphasized.
He further noted that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will play a key role in supporting national food security. The Indonesian Army (TNI AD) will focus on rice self-sufficiency, while the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) will assist by providing land for national food production.
"I have instructed the TNI Commander to designate Indonesian Navy territories as the national center for soybean self-sufficiency. With hard work and a well-planned planting approach, Indonesia's goal of becoming a soybean exporter can be achieved," he added.
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Translator: Dian, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Arie Novarina
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