Jakarta. Vice-presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar didn't hold back in scrutinizing government economic policies, particularly targeting the long-standing "food estate" program, during a debate in Jakarta on Sunday.

The food estate initiative, initiated during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presidency, aimed to achieve self-reliance in food supplies by opening new agricultural lands nationwide.

However, Muhaimin argued that the program has proven to be a big failure, causing ecological damages and minimal impact, if any, on national food security efforts.

"In the past 10 years, the food estate program has marginalized our farmers and indigenous people, triggered agrarian conflicts, and caused ecological disasters," Muhaimin said in his opening remarks at the Jakarta Convention Center.

He further accused the Joko Widodo administration of neglecting farmers and overlooking their welfare. "Farmers are the backbone of our country, but the government simply ignores them," he said.

Muhaimin advocated for a change in policies as he pointed to the climate crises and ecological disasters occurring in various places. As the running mate for presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, he said a shift in policies is necessary to address these challenges.

Muhaimin underscored that there are approximately 3 million farmers managing half a hectare of agricultural land or less each, affecting 16 million farmers and their families. In contrast, he pointed out that certain individuals have received government concessions to manage 500,000 hectares of land, without specifying names.

Indonesia last year imported 3 million tons of rice and plans to acquire a similar amount this year to ensure supplies of the staple food.

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