Following President Prabowo's Directive, Transmigration Minister Prepares New Areas to Boost Food Production

The Ministry of Transmigration is preparing transmigration areas across various regions to serve as new, modern production spaces that are productive and directly connected to markets. This strategic move aligns with the positive trend in the agricultural sector highlighted at the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen Week (PENAS) in Gorontalo Regency on Wednesday (24/6/2026). The national agricultural sector reportedly grew by 5.74 percent, with the Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) reaching 127 percent, fertiliser prices dropping by 20 percent, and total national food production hitting 38 tonnes. Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara views these achievements as a crucial signal to accelerate transformation in transmigration areas. He stated that transmigration must shift from an administrative approach to a productive one based on data, technology, institutions, and leading commodities. To support the expansion of the food base, a key focus is bringing agricultural technology innovation and knowledge transfer to the grassroots level, including regions outside Java. Iftitah cited a recent visit to a transmigration cluster in eastern Indonesia as an example, explaining the programme is now designed to strengthen local community capacity through expert collaboration. ‘Through transmigration, we aim to bring knowledge, technology, and the best human resources to help the people of Papua manage their potential. It is not just about moving people, but about delivering capacity and opportunity that can accelerate regional progress,’ he said. By applying technology, transmigration areas are expected to adopt cutting-edge innovations showcased at PENAS XVII, such as closer planting patterns that can increase rice production from 5 tonnes to 10 or 12 tonnes per hectare. This work is part of the government’s political commitment to farmer and fisher welfare. President Prabowo Subianto, addressing thousands of participants at the Limboto Sports Centre, emphasised that a civilisation’s resilience depends on its independence in meeting basic needs without relying on imports. ‘Farmers and fishers are the producers of food. No country can stand, no country can survive, and no civilisation can endure without food,’ the President said.