Bapanas Reports Rising Garlic Production, Titiek Reminds of This

The government is continuously strengthening national food security, including maintaining the stability of garlic supplies amid needs that still rely on imports. This effort aligns with the directives of President Prabowo Subianto.

In addition to keeping prices stable, the government is also beginning to focus on strengthening the upstream sector, particularly seed production, to accelerate garlic self-sufficiency.

Director of Supply and Price Stabilisation for Food at the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Maino Dwi Hartono, assured that the current garlic supply is still in a safe condition, supported by increasing domestic production since the beginning of the year.

“If we look at it, domestic garlic production has started to move since March at around 2,400 tonnes, and in April this year it has increased to about 4,200 tonnes. This is positive progress, because it means the domestic supply is starting to fill up and increasingly strengthens availability in the market,” Maino stated in his remarks, quoted on Friday (10/4/2026).

Although the supply is relatively maintained, the DPR highlighted the high import dependency for this commodity. Chair of DPR RI Commission IV, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, or familiarly known as Titiek Soeharto, emphasised that strengthening seed production is a crucial point in agricultural development.

She assessed that the success of production increases is largely determined by the quality of seeds used by farmers.

“Seeds are the starting point and the main determinant of agricultural development success. Seed quality will greatly influence productivity, resilience to climate change, and the competitiveness of our agricultural products,” said Titiek.

Titiek stated that strengthening the seed sector is a fundamental step to reduce reliance on garlic imports.

“We need superior seeds, and that can be produced through strengthening the role of research centres like this. If the capacity of researchers and facilities continues to be strengthened, insya Allah, we in DPR RI Commission IV will fight for this,” she said.

From the farmers’ side, seed issues and land suitability remain the main challenges. A garlic farmer from West Bandung, Usep Saefudin, hopes for innovations in more adaptive varieties.

“We hope for seed innovations that can be planted in lower altitudes, so farmers have options and do not have to compete with other commodities in highland areas. In addition, fertiliser support and guidance are also very much needed so that production can be more optimal,” said Usep.

The government affirmed that it will continue to maintain a balance between increasing domestic production and supply stability in the market.

“On one hand, we push for production increases, including through seed strengthening. But on the other hand, the government also ensures availability remains safe through measured supply management. This is what we continue to maintain so that balance is preserved,” Maino concluded.