InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – The national food self-sufficiency initiative is entering a more concrete phase. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), through its Directorate General of Plantations, is promoting the cultivation of upland rice (dryland rice) as a sustainable strategy to boost rice production.

The program involves key stakeholders from the palm oil plantation sector through multi-stakeholder partnerships. This collaborative approach is seen as a strategic solution to optimize the use of dryland areas beyond traditional rice fields.

This move also responds to the directive of Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, who has called for swift and tangible actions amid increasingly complex agricultural challenges. “This is not just a policy—it’s a real commitment to the future of our farmers and national food security. Food self-sufficiency is non-negotiable,” he emphasized.

Echoing the Minister’s sentiment, Acting Director General of Plantations, Abdul Roni Angkat, expressed optimism that the self-sufficiency target could be achieved more quickly through joint efforts. Cross-sector synergy is key, especially in optimizing dryland in plantation areas.

“The government cannot work alone. We need active participation from businesses, especially in the palm oil sector, to grow upland rice on available drylands. This is a collective mission for our country,” said Roni on Monday (28/7/2025).

He also urged field actors facing technical challenges to coordinate with the Directorate General of Plantations. The ministry is ready to provide assistance and facilitation, as long as there is strong commitment.

“We’re fully prepared to support this effort. With determination and genuine effort, we can achieve robust food security,” he concluded.

With this spirit of collaboration, the upland rice development program is expected to mark a new milestone in Indonesia’s journey toward sovereign and sustainable food self-sufficiency. (T2)