DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesian military backs president's rice self-sufficiency goal

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Indonesian military (TNI) is supporting President Prabowo Subianto's goal of achieving national rice self-sufficiency.
  • In July 2026, the TNI assisted in harvesting rice from 479,659 hectares, contributing to 55.24% of the national rice production target for the year.
  • The TNI's involvement in agriculture aims to strengthen food independence and reduce import reliance, aligning with the 'Indonesia Emas 2045' vision.

Indonesian military chief General Agus Subiyanto reported that the Army's support for the agricultural sector has significantly contributed to the national rice production target for 2026. During the July 2026 harvest season alone, the TNI AD (Army) assisted in cultivating rice across 479,659 hectares.

Since January to June 2026, total harvested area reached 6.26 million hectares with rice production of 19.2 million tons, or has supported 55.24 percent of the national rice production target for 2026.

— Jenderal Agus SubiyantoReporting on the TNI's contribution to national rice production targets.

"From January to June 2026, the total harvested area reached 6.26 million hectares, producing 19.2 million tons of rice, which supports 55.24 percent of the national rice production target for 2026," Agus stated in a press release on Wednesday (July 22, 2026). He highlighted the TNI's efforts in cultivating crops like sugarcane, rice, and soybeans as crucial for strengthening food self-sufficiency and lessening the nation's dependence on imports.

Agus emphasized that the synergy between the TNI, the government, state-owned enterprises, businesses, academics, and the community is a vital factor in achieving national food self-sufficiency. He referred to a recent harvest festival at the Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base in Malang, East Java, on Friday (July 17, 2026), stating, "This harvest festival is tangible proof of the TNI's presence in strengthening food independence and advancing the nation's economy as a foundation for the 'Indonesia Emas 2045' vision."

This harvest festival is tangible proof of the TNI's presence in strengthening food independence and advancing the nation's economy as a foundation for the 'Indonesia Emas 2045' vision.

— Jenderal Agus SubiyantoHighlighting the significance of the TNI's role in national food security and economic development.

President Joko Widodo (sic, should be Prabowo Subianto based on article text) expressed his appreciation for the TNI's success in maintaining national food security. He urged for continued involvement of the TNI and Polri (National Police) among farmers and fishermen to ensure Indonesia's food security, dismissing any procedural objections to their participation in agricultural activities.

There's no need to be too concerned about procedures, like why the military is involved in the fields or why the police are planting corn.

— President Joko Widodo (sic, should be Prabowo Subianto)President's directive to encourage TNI and Polri involvement in agriculture, dismissing procedural concerns.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog