Jakarta. The Agriculture Ministry plans to take charge of several state-owned enterprises (SOEs) related to food and agriculture to achieve food self-sufficiency. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman revealed that discussions have already taken place with State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir regarding this initiative.

Minister Amran emphasized the need for collaboration to meet self-sufficiency targets, indicating that cooperation with state-owned logistics company Bulog and state-owned fertilizer company Pupuk Indonesia is essential. He explained that effective food self-sufficiency requires unified command to ensure seamless operations.

“We need a single command. The dualism complicates things. This is an order from the president: there must be one command from upstream to downstream,” Andi Amran Sulaiman told B-Universe Media Holdings.

Through this collaboration, the Agriculture Ministry aims to become a super holding entity for several food-related SOEs, streamlining efforts to reach food self-sufficiency targets.

The SOE Ministry has established a food holding company, IDFood, led by Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia. Formed in January 2022, this holding company comprises several food-related state-owned enterprises, including Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia, Sang Hyang Seri, Perikanan Indonesia, Berdikari, and Garam.

Minister Amran also highlighted the importance of coordinating with the newly appointed Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan. “We need to concentrate on food, as food security is synonymous with national security,” he said.

This initiative underscores President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to prioritizing food self-sufficiency during his administration.

President Prabowo expressed optimism that Indonesia could achieve food self-sufficiency within four to five years. He made this statement during his inaugural speech after being officially sworn in as the 8th President of Indonesia.