Coordinating Minister Zulhas Urges Youth to Play Active Role in Safeguarding Food Security
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has urged the younger generation to strengthen unity and play an active role in safeguarding food security amid global dynamics.
The call was delivered during a silaturahmi and halal bihalal event with youth organisations, students, pupils, and interfaith groups at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday.
“If the youth are strong, their unity is strong, and their food security is strong, then Indonesia’s future will also be strong,” said Zulhas.
He stated that the current global situation is marked by uncertainty due to geopolitical conflicts that impact supply chains and logistics costs.
Consequently, the government is accelerating strategic programmes such as food self-sufficiency, energy, and downstreaming to maintain national resilience.
“We are pushing for acceleration in strategic sectors, including food, so that medium-term targets can be achieved more quickly,” he said.
Zulhas noted that the impact of global turbulence is also felt in goods distribution, including changes in shipping routes that trigger rises in logistics costs.
Additionally, increases in raw material prices such as plastic also affect food distribution, including the availability of sacks for unhulled rice.
Nevertheless, he assured that the national food situation, particularly rice, remains secure amid global uncertainties.
The Ministry of Agriculture records that government rice reserves as of 7 April 2026 reach approximately 4.6 million tonnes, the highest in history, deemed sufficient to meet needs for the next 10 to 11 months.
Moreover, the total national rice availability, including production and stocks, is estimated at around 28 million tonnes, thus able to maintain supply stability amid global geopolitical pressures and potential El Niño.
“In 2026, God willing, our rice availability will be secure,” said Zulhas.
He emphasised the importance of unity amid diversity in facing various future global challenges.
During the silaturahmi event, Zulhas encouraged youth to contribute to the nation through ideas, innovations, and concrete actions.
The meeting is expected to strengthen collaboration between the government and the younger generation in safeguarding food security and unity.
The event was attended by several youth and student organisations, including Pemuda Muhammadiyah, Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (HMI), Ikatan Mahasiswa Muhammadiyah (IMM), Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia (PMII), Ikatan Pelajar Muhammadiyah (IPM), Ikatan Pelajar Nahdlatul Ulama (IPNU), and Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa Seluruh Indonesia (BEM SI).
Additionally, interfaith organisations were present, such as Gerakan Mahasiswa Kristen Indonesia (GMKI), Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Katolik Republik Indonesia (PMKRI), Kesatuan Mahasiswa Hindu Dharma Indonesia (KMHDI), and Himpunan Mahasiswa Buddhis Indonesia, among others.