Collaboration Revives 30-Year Dormant Land to Support Corn Self-Sufficiency
Jakarta - PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (Mekar) has partnered with PT Paten Mekar Tani to revitalise dormant agricultural land through corn planting alongside the Indonesian National Police, aimed at supporting self-sufficiency and strengthening national food security.
Mekar Chief Executive Officer Pandu Aditya Kristy stated that the company’s involvement with Paten Mekar Tani represents a concrete contribution to strengthening the agricultural sector and national food security. “Food security is one of the important foundations for a nation’s strength and self-reliance. Through synergy between government, authorities, business actors, and the community, we can collectively strengthen the agricultural sector whilst improving public welfare,” said Pandu.
The synchronised corn planting for the first quarter of 2026, led by the National Police through the West Sumatra Regional Police Command, was conducted at Panen Mekar Tani Farm Post in Tapakis, Ulakan Tapakis District, Padang Pariaman Regency, on Saturday (7 March). The activity is part of the Synchronised Corn Planting programme initiated by the National Police Headquarters and implemented across various regions throughout Indonesia.
The land used for corn planting had previously been unproductive for decades. It had been dormant for over 30 years, with conditions severely degraded, overgrown with shrubland, and unproductive. “Through joint efforts, the land is now being revitalised into productive agricultural land that is expected to provide economic benefits to the community,” explained Pandu.
“We wish to promote improved welfare for the community, particularly farmers, whilst ensuring that agricultural development maintains balance with the environment,” he added.
Pandu acknowledged that the company has previously been active in promoting UMKM growth, particularly businesses run by women. The company is now expanding its contribution to the agricultural sector, which it recognises as playing a strategic role in supporting national food security.
“Through Paten Mekar Tani, we are developing various initiatives to optimise agricultural potential whilst promoting real sector growth that provides economic benefits to the community,” he explained.
The effort is strengthened through the development of the Mekar Ecosystem, which connects various business actors to mutually support and strengthen real sector growth, including in agriculture.
“Going forward, what we wish to promote is not only increased agricultural production, but also the development of a sustainable economic ecosystem through the Mekar Ecosystem, where each party can mutually support and strengthen one another,” said Pandu.
Through these various initiatives, Pandu hopes that the agricultural sector can continue to develop as one of the important foundations in strengthening food security whilst improving community welfare across various regions.
The National Police received a special mandate from President Prabowo Subianto to support the food self-sufficiency programme, including overseeing and implementing synchronised corn planting across various regions of Indonesia covering 1 million hectares.
By early March 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that Indonesia had also achieved self-sufficiency in rice, consumption sugar, large chillies, small chillies, cooking oil, chicken meat, chicken eggs, and shallots.