Central Java Strengthens Farmer Regeneration and Innovation to Maintain Food Security

Central Java’s Regional Secretary, Sumarno, stated that farmer regeneration is a strategic step towards achieving food self-sufficiency and strengthening food security. Sumarno also appreciated the consistency of millennial farmers and agricultural training alumni who continue to contribute in the field and succeed in fostering interest among the younger generation to enter the agricultural sector. “This is not just a routine activity, but a real contribution in the field. More importantly, how these friends can encourage young people to want to farm,” said Sumarno in his statement on Saturday (25/4/2026). Sumarno conveyed this while representing Governor Ahmad Luthfi at the Agricultural Extension Agents and Millennial Farmers Alert Roll Call in Central Java at the Agro Center Soropadan, Pringsurat, Temanggung Regency, yesterday. Sumarno noted that Central Java currently has around 630,000 millennial farmers. Their presence is an important part in addressing farmer regeneration challenges, given that the majority of current farmers are aged between 40 and 60 years. “This regeneration is key. With new human resources (HR) that are more adaptive to technology and innovation, we are optimistic that agriculture will become more efficient and productive,” explained Sumarno. To support the sustainability of the agricultural sector, the Central Java Provincial Government is also strengthening policies for protecting agricultural land through revisions to the Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW). This policy aims to ensure that agricultural land remains protected and not easily converted. In the future, land designated as agricultural areas will be strictly protected. “We are in the process together with regencies/cities to ensure agricultural land is protected. This is important so that food production sustainability remains maintained,” explained Sumarno. Sumarno added that water resource and environmental management is also a serious concern. The Provincial Government of Central Java is encouraging increased collective awareness in preserving the environment, especially water catchment areas that play an important role in the agricultural system. Meanwhile, the General Chairman of Millennial Farmers, Rayndra Syahdan Mahmudin, stated that the roll call was attended by 300 agricultural extension agents from 17 regencies/cities as well as 300 Millennial Farmer Envoys. The activity is directed at strengthening collaboration between millennial farmers and extension agents in supporting sustainable food self-sufficiency. “We hope this collaboration becomes stronger and can provide real contributions, not only in Central Java but also nationally,” he said. He added that the development of millennial farmers continues to show a positive trend. The network of young farmers in Central Java has now grown to nearly 35,000 people since 2019. Efforts to change the stigma are also ongoing, so that the agricultural sector is increasingly attractive to the younger generation as a productive and promising profession. “The stigma of young people towards agriculture is indeed associated with dirtiness, messiness, squalor, not cool, right? That’s our effort as Millennial Farmer Envoys to change that stigma,” he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Java Agriculture and Livestock Department, Defransisco Dasilva Tavares, stated that the 2026 food self-sufficiency programme aligns with Central Java’s vision as the national food barn. The target rice planting area for 2026 is set at 2.38 million hectares, with realisation so far at 683,782 hectares. “Every day, the addition of planting reaches an average of 7,000 to 8,000 hectares,” he said. He stated that rice production until May 2026 is projected to reach 4.69 million tons of milled dry unhulled rice from a total target of 10.55 million tons. Besides rice, various other commodities are also being promoted. Chilli production is recorded at 80,892 tons, shallots at 144,705 tons, and beef at 245,747 tons. “Central Java also becomes the main contributor to national garlic production with an achievement of 63.9 percent,” he said. To support production acceleration, his side is implementing various strategies, including increasing the cropping index, controlling plant-disturbing organisms, and adapting to climate change. One innovation being developed is the sustainable planting acceleration system or the ‘sepur’ pattern, which integrates the harvesting to planting process quickly to optimise land. “This is land optimisation for intensification and acceleration of planting area addition in Central Java,” he concluded.