Padang, W. Sumatra. West Sumatra launched an integrated corn farming initiative on Wednesday as part of Indonesia’s push to achieve food self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imports, following President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to halt corn imports by 2026.

The initiative seeks to build a sustainable corn farming ecosystem by providing structured production facilities, technical support, and guaranteed harvest absorption schemes for farmers. It positions West Sumatra to become a hub for national corn production, in line with Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen food sovereignty amid global supply chain uncertainties.

The program is initiated by Mekar Agrifin Teknologi (Paten Mekar Tani) in collaboration with the West Sumatra Police, the provincial government, and Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR). 

“Food security is not solely the responsibility of the government but of all elements of society,” said Ari Irpendi Putra, Director of Paten Mekar Tani. “This cross-sector collaboration serves as a model for tackling the increasingly complex challenges of ensuring stable food supplies.”

West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi described the program as a concrete step in supporting President Joko Widodo’s vision for food sovereignty. “We cannot depend on other countries to feed our people. In West Sumatra, rice and corn are key priorities fully aligned with our development strategies,” Mahyeldi said during the launch event.

Indonesia’s corn imports reached 1.3 million tons between January and November 2024, mainly from Argentina and Brazil. This marked a significant increase from 892,080 tons during the same period in 2023,

Read More: Prabowo Hails Polri’s Role in Record Corn Harvest, Nutrition Drive

Gatot Tri Suryanta, West Sumatra Police Chief, said strengthening food security is essential for maintaining social and economic stability.

“This program aligns with President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s vision, which places food security as a top national priority,” he said.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo reported during the National Police (Polri) anniversary (Bhayangkara Day) on July 1 that Polri has helped drive the planting of corn on 429,000 hectares in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry and over 135,000 farmer groups. These efforts resulted in a harvest of between 2.08 million and 2.5 million tons of corn during the first half of 2025.

Polri aims to expand this effort further, targeting corn planting on 750,000 hectares in the third quarter, with an estimated yield of up to 7.5 million tons. 

MEKAR CEO Pandu Aditya Kristy stressed that cross-sector collaboration and practical investment in agriculture are key to building resilience and advancing national food security.

The launch event featured a symbolic corn planting ceremony, a collaboration plaque unveiling, and the awarding to individuals and organizations contributing significantly to West Sumatra’s agriculture sector.

Private sector supporters, including Bentara Agri Indonesia, Kirana, ID Botani, Winmar, and Gloviewer, also backed the initiative, reflecting growing private interest in sustainable agriculture and inclusive regional economic development.

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