Khofifah calls on East Java Scouts to drive food self-sufficiency

Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has called on members of the East Java Scout Movement to become drivers of food security and national self-sufficiency towards a Golden Indonesia 2045, by strengthening the role of the younger generation, the environment, and technology-based modern agriculture. “The Scout Movement has extraordinary strength because it reaches the grassroots and shapes a young generation that is disciplined, cooperative, independent, resilient, and has social awareness. We must synergise this strength to safeguard food security and encourage the realisation of national food self-sufficiency,” she said in Surabaya on Friday. The call coincided with the 65th Scout Day commemoration on 14 August 2026, which carries the theme “Strengthening Organisational Steps to Support Food Self-Sufficiency Towards a Golden Indonesia 2045.” Khofifah assessed that the theme is relevant to national development challenges because food security requires cross-sectoral involvement and the participation of all elements of society, including the younger generation who possess energy, creativity, and the ability to adapt to technological developments. She said the Scouts’ contribution could start with simple steps such as not wasting food, utilising yard land for productive crops, introducing agriculture to the younger generation, developing food gardens, and preserving the environment and natural resources. “The Scout spirit is a spirit to be present, to create, and to provide benefits. Therefore, Scouts must be part of a generation that not only understands the importance of food but also participates in maintaining its sustainability,” she said. Khofifah stressed that East Java holds a strategic position in supporting national food security and self-sufficiency. Besides being one of the nation’s food barns, East Java is also the main production base for sugarcane. According to her, East Java’s sugar sector contributes around 51 per cent of national sugar production. The province’s white crystal sugar production throughout 2025 reached approximately 1.34 million tonnes, the highest achievement in the last decade. “This further reinforces East Java’s position as the main buffer for the national sugar industry as well as a strategic region in the effort to achieve sugar self-sufficiency,” she said. Entering 2026, East Java is again implementing a Ratoon Clearing Programme covering 48,315 hectares and a Sugarcane Area Expansion Programme covering 6,582 hectares, bringing the total sugarcane development target to 54,897 hectares across 24 sugarcane-producing districts. In the food crop sector, based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the rice harvest area in East Java in 2025 reached approximately 1.84 million hectares, an increase of 13.88 per cent compared to the previous year. Rice production reached around 10.44 million tonnes of dry unhusked rice, equivalent to approximately 6.03 million tonnes of rice for consumption. Khofifah assessed that these achievements must be followed by the regeneration of agricultural actors so that the sustainability of food security is maintained. “Young people must see agriculture as a sector of the future. Today’s agriculture is not just about hoeing and planting, but also about technology, innovation, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable food value chain. This is where Scouts can play a strategic role,” she said. She added that the values of discipline, mutual cooperation, independence, environmental awareness, and the spirit of service instilled in the Scout Movement are highly relevant for facing the challenges of climate change, the threat of food crises, and technological developments. “Scouting is a crucible for shaping the character of the nation’s generation. From here, we prepare a generation that is resilient in facing various challenges while also possessing the spirit to protect the country and provide benefits to society,” she said. On the occasion of the 65th Scout Day, Khofifah also expressed her appreciation to all levels of the Regional Kwartir, Branch Kwartir, Sub-district Kwartir, Scout Groups, Special Scout Units, Community Scout Units, trainers, coaches, supervisors, and all members of the Scout Movement in East Java who are active in social activities and community service. “Happy 65th Scout Day. Let us continue to ignite the spirit of the Scout Promise and Law. Be a generation that is resilient, independent, productive, caring, and always ready to give the best service to the community, the nation, and the state,” Khofifah said.