Agriculture Minister Rallies Laskar Merah Putih to Safeguard Food Self-Sufficiency, Vows No Retreat Against Food Mafia

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has invited all members of Laskar Merah Putih to jointly safeguard President Prabowo Subianto’s major agenda of maintaining national food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. He stated that the struggle to achieve food independence is a duty for all the nation’s people that must be protected together. He made these remarks while attending the Laskar Merah Putih National Gathering in Jakarta on Saturday (13/6/2026). Speaking before the organisation’s board and members from various regions, Minister Amran, who also serves as a Supervisory Board member of LMP, emphasised that the agricultural sector’s current achievements are the result of collective efforts by all elements of the nation. “As long as Laskar Merah Putih stands by our side, we will not retreat. This is not my work alone, but the work of all of us as the nation’s people to protect the Red and White and realise sustainable food self-sufficiency,” said Minister Amran. According to him, the various achievements made by the agricultural sector over the past two years have become an important milestone towards national food independence. Currently, the government’s rice stock has reached approximately 5.2 million tonnes, the highest in Indonesia’s history. “Since this Republic was founded, this is the highest rice stock we have ever had. But this is not because of one person; it is the result of the collective work of all the nation’s people, the TNI, the National Police, regional governments, farmers, and all parties who love Indonesia,” he said. He added that farmer welfare is also showing a positive trend. The Farmer Exchange Rate in May 2026 was recorded at 127.73, the highest in recent decades. According to him, this success also demonstrates that President Prabowo’s policy to strengthen the food sector is on the right track. However, he acknowledged that various efforts to improve the agricultural sector are not free from criticism and disruption from parties who have long benefited from import dependency. “Many are unhappy when Indonesia is strong. In the past, Indonesia was a large market for world food. But now, we want to stand on our own feet. Therefore, we must not retreat just because of criticism. If the criticism is constructive, it is a sign of love for this nation,” he said. On this occasion, Minister Amran outlined various strategic government programmes to increase food production, ranging from land optimisation and irrigation rehabilitation to rice field printing programmes in various regions of Indonesia. According to him, the development of rice fields is not only being carried out in Merauke, but also in South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and various other regions with great potential to support national production. “Merauke is only a small part. The largest areas are actually in South Sumatra and several other regions. All of this is to increase production and community welfare. The land managed belongs to the people and the results are for the people,” he stressed. Minister Amran stated that the major effort towards food self-sufficiency requires courage and consistency. Therefore, he asked all elements of society, including Laskar Merah Putih, to help safeguard the government’s various strategic programmes so they continue to run according to their objectives. “The most difficult thing after seizing independence is filling that independence. We must ensure this nation is independent and sovereign. Whoever leads in the future, the food sovereignty agenda must continue to be safeguarded,” he said. He also affirmed his commitment to eradicating food mafia practices that harm farmers and the public. “We will not give space to mafias who play games with the people. If anyone harms farmers and this nation, we will take action. We will not retreat,” he asserted. Minister Amran is optimistic that Indonesia has great potential to become a world food power. With the support of all components of the nation, he believes President Prabowo’s grand vision to realise a food-independent Indonesia can be achieved. “The President’s big dream is for all islands in Indonesia to be food independent. Food secure, protein sufficient, and farmer welfare improved. Therefore, let us safeguard this together. This is not merely a government programme, but a struggle for all Indonesian people,” he concluded.