“The onions did not pay tax, they were smuggled in and pose risks to our ecosystem by potentially bringing in bacteria and diseases,” Sulaiman said during an inspection visit in Semarang on Saturday.
He said the seized items consisted of 6,172 sacks of onions with a total weight of approximately 133.5 tons. In the agricultural context, Sulaiman stressed that the level of risk is not determined solely by quantity.
“It is not about the quantity. One ton is the same as a thousand tons if it carries disease. One kilogram is the same as a million kilograms. The impact is significant because it affects the psychology and morale of farmers,” he said.
According to the minister, illegal food imports pose a serious threat to the sustainability of national agricultural production and the welfare of farmers.
He noted that Indonesia has around 160 million farmers and between 4 million and 5 million livestock breeders, whose livelihoods should not be sacrificed for the benefit of a small number of people.
Sulaiman also emphasized that Indonesia has achieved rice self-sufficiency and is continuing to strengthen the production of other strategic food commodities.
As a result, the entry of illegal food products, even in small quantities, can have a major psychological impact on farmers, reduce their motivation to produce, and potentially lead to renewed dependence on imports, he said.
“If farmers hear that even one ton of rice is imported, the impact could affect 29 million rice farmers and their families, potentially around 115 million people. Farmers may stop producing, then imports resume. This is why strict supervision is necessary,” he added.
He stressed that monitoring applies not only to onions, but also to other strategic commodities such as rice, sugar, and other staple foods.
Sulaiman said he has received numerous reports of food smuggling, illegal fertilizer distribution, and the illicit circulation of agricultural machinery.
“We will uncover all of this,” he said.
He also warned of the risk of animal and plant diseases entering the country through smuggling, referring to the past outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which caused significant losses to livestock farmers.
Sulaiman added that identifying those responsible would be handled by law enforcement authorities, while assuring that his ministry would remain at the forefront of efforts to protect national food sovereignty.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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