Coordinating Minister for Food: Gorontalo's 210-tonne maize harvest supports food self-sufficiency

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that a major maize harvest in Gorontalo Regency, yielding approximately 210 tonnes, is part of the government’s effort to increase national food production and accelerate food self-sufficiency. According to Zulhas, the successful harvest reflects increased maize cultivation productivity in the region while providing better profits for farmers, as the selling price is above the government’s reference price. “The maize price is in line with the reference price of Rp5,500 per kg, but here it is Rp6,000, which is excellent. Here I see one hectare can yield over six tonnes, and I have verified it is indeed over six tonnes,” Zulhas said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Thursday. The harvest took place in Mulyonegoro Village, Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, on 30 hectares of land with an average productivity of up to seven tonnes per hectare. Zulhas noted that maize productivity at the site is higher compared to several other regions and is supported by the smooth distribution of fertiliser to farmers. “I recently saw in Lampung that one hectare could yield five tonnes, so it is slightly less. Secondly, fertiliser distribution is smooth and the price is also discounted by up to 20 per cent,” he said. The harvest is the result of guidance provided by Trading Business Damai Sejahtera together with the Sipatana Hijau Farmers Group, aimed at increasing the productivity and welfare of maize farmers. The harvest took place on land belonging to the Sipatana Hijau Farmers Group, chaired by Rahmad Danupoyo, in Mulyonegoro Village, Pulubala District, Gorontalo Regency. Zulhas said the government will continue to encourage increased productivity and farming efficiency so that the contribution of maize production centres to national needs grows larger. He is optimistic that maize production in the region will continue to increase. By July 2026, the maize harvest area in the assisted region is targeted to expand to more than 1,000 hectares, which is expected to make a greater contribution to national maize production. In addition to increasing production, the government is also promoting collaboration between farmers, farmer groups, business actors, and local governments to enhance productivity and farming efficiency. This collaboration is also directed at strengthening the downstream processing of maize commodities to increase added value while supporting food security and sovereignty.