He said here on Wednesday that President Prabowo Subianto directed the government to prioritize sugar self-sufficiency, given the substantial needs for both household consumption and strategic industries that support the national economy.
According to him, in 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture will implement two major programs: increasing sugar production and accelerating protein self-sufficiency through eggs and chicken meat.
He explained that the focus of increasing egg and chicken production will be directed outside Java, considering that supply has so far been highly dependent on the island.
Sudaryono noted that the president wants every island and province to secure its own food supply to meet the needs of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and prevent potential shortages.
To achieve this, he continued, his ministry has prepared a program for developing egg and chicken farming in thirteen provinces outside Java and East Java, involving state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the Red and White Village Cooperatives, and local farmers.
In addition to achieving self-sufficiency, the Indonesian government is also promoting agricultural downstreaming for 11 horticultural and plantation commodities to enable Indonesia to export processed products with high added value to the global market.
"The 11 commodities include coconut, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, nutmeg, pepper, gambier, and others," he expounded.
The deputy minister emphasized that Indonesia's comparative advantage lies in the agriculture sector, which creates a large number of jobs, is inclusive for all backgrounds, and holds the potential to become a sustainable engine of economic growth.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman earlier on Thursday (December 4) stated that Indonesia is ready to declare food self-sufficiency in rice and corn on December 31, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., in line with the national target.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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