East Java is emerging as a potential model for Indonesia's ambitious food security plan. Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has highlighted the province's substantial agricultural capacity, which includes over 1.6 million hectares of paddy fields and a production output of more than 9.2 million tonnes of rice last year. As Indonesia aims to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2027, East Java's role becomes increasingly pivotal.
The province contributes approximately 17% of the world's total rice production, maintaining its status as the largest rice producer since 2020. This significant contribution underscores East Java's importance in Indonesia's quest for food security. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the ageing farmer population and the scarcity of young successors willing to enter the agricultural sector. "Today's young people generally like to work in offices and factories. Here in Pasuruan, there are many factories, so it's tough," noted Supaat, reflecting on the challenges of attracting young talent to farming.
Efforts to increase rice production focus on land intensification strategies, such as improving fertiliser management and adopting mechanisation. Despite these efforts, the province faces limitations in expanding its agricultural land. Heru Suseno, head of the East Java Agricultural Service, aims to increase the agricultural area by 2,930 hectares this year. Addressing these constraints, he stated, "If we want to achieve food self-sufficiency as quickly as possible, everything must be done. Land that used to be dormant must be utilised."
A national social forestry pilot project in Burno village exemplifies sustainable agriculture and food security initiatives. The project allows local communities to use forest areas for agriculture, including rice cultivation, leveraging East Java's fertile lands and diverse plant species. This pilot serves as a promising model for expanding such initiatives across the nation.
Despite these advancements, some critics express concerns over the government's roadmap for achieving food self-sufficiency. Ayib Said Abdullah remarked, "Unfortunately, to this day, we have not been able to see, find or read documents, scenarios or roadmap prepared by the government (on food self-sufficiency)." He further added, "If the programmes and policies that are made are just to fulfill political promises, for me that is something that is very sad because the stakes concern this nation."
In a bid to ensure budget efficiency, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has mandated a substantial budget cut of 256 trillion rupiah (US$15.76 billion) across ministries and state agencies. This directive reflects the government's commitment to reallocating resources towards critical initiatives like food security.
Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa emphasizes a shift towards organic fertilisers as part of sustainable farming practices in East Java. "Production is already good, but how can we convert the use of (chemical) fertiliser to organic fertiliser?" she questioned. Supaat supports this transition by suggesting incremental changes: "Maybe initially 50-50 – after that, 80 per cent organic; after that 100 per cent organic. So, not only do we raise production, but it's also healthy."
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