Accelerating Food Self-Sufficiency Through Simultaneous Planting Movement in Berau

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to strengthen its strategy to achieve national food self-sufficiency by accelerating planting. This concrete step was realised in a Simultaneous Planting Movement on 68 hectares of land managed by the Sanggam Amatilla Food Brigade in Labanan Jaya Village, Teluk Bayur District, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, on Friday (12/6/2026).

The activity aims to increase the planting area while introducing modern agricultural technology to local farmers. During the movement, the Ministry applied a Direct Seed Planting system (Tabela) using a blower tank. This technology is claimed to be able to spread rice seeds more quickly, evenly, and efficiently compared to conventional methods.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasised that accelerating planting is a strategic step to maintain national food availability. He stressed the importance of land optimisation, strengthening farmer institutions, and the massive utilisation of modern technology across Indonesia.

Head of the Agency for Agricultural Extension and Human Resource Development (BPPSDMP), Idha Widi Arsanti, added that the success of self-sufficiency depends heavily on synergy in the field. “All agricultural stakeholders, from extension workers, Food Brigades, to farmers, must move together to ensure potential land is utilised maximally,” she said in a statement on Monday (15/6/2026).

In line with this, Head of the Agricultural Education Centre, Mohammad Amin, assessed that the implementation of the Tabela system at the Sanggam Amatilla Food Brigade is a concrete example of agricultural transformation towards a more productive system. “This technology can save planting time, reduce labour costs, and support an increase in the cropping index,” Amin explained.

The 68-hectare land is managed by Food Brigade Manager Rino Famuji as a centre for modern agricultural development through mechanisation. The activity was also attended by representatives from the Indonesian Agricultural Engineering Polytechnic (PEPI), the Indonesian National Armed Forces through Military District Command 0902/Berau, and officials from the local Agriculture Office.

Cross-sector synergy between the central government, regional authorities, the military, and academics is expected to accelerate the transformation of Berau Regency into one of the food barns supporting national self-sufficiency in the East Kalimantan region.