Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto highlighted Indonesia’s achievement in attaining food self-sufficiency as one of the key accomplishments of his administration during its first two years.
“Among our key achievements is that we managed to become food self-sufficient within a short period of time,” he said while opening a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Addressing ministers and other senior officials, Prabowo described the achievement as a strong foundation for Indonesia to navigate global uncertainty, noting that food had become a strategic instrument during times of crisis.
He said Indonesia had demonstrated its ability to ensure adequate food supplies for its population amid mounting global challenges.
Prabowo stressed that food availability plays a crucial role in determining a nation’s resilience. He underscored the importance of strengthening food self-sufficiency, warning of the risks associated with dependence on other countries for food supplies.
“Food is determinant because it can be weaponized these days,” Prabowo said.
He further warned that reliance on imported food commodities could leave Indonesia vulnerable in the event of a global food crisis.
He noted that even substantial financial resources might not be enough to secure food imports during periods of scarcity.
Prabowo also highlighted that Indonesia had achieved food self-sufficiency despite the adverse effects of climate-related phenomena, including prolonged drought and El Nino conditions over the past two years.
The government had prepared contingency measures to help the country cope with such challenges, he said, adding that Indonesia was also well-positioned to anticipate the effects of La Nina.
“Having achieved food self-sufficiency, we now have a relative degree of resilience,” he said.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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