Prof Rycko Amelza: BPS Data Shows Indonesia Imported Corn Since 1973, Stopped in 2026, Polri Made History

Retired Police Commissioner General Mohammed Rycko Amelza Dahniel stated that Indonesia had imported corn for 53 years. Only this year has the country stopped importing corn and instead begun exporting it. He believes this progress is inseparable from the role of the National Police (Polri), which, since the beginning of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, has been tasked with helping to oversee the corn production sector. He said Polri’s involvement in accelerating corn production has made history for Indonesia. “BPS data shows that Indonesia has always imported corn since 1973, and only in 2026 have we declared that we are no longer importing, and are even exporting. This means for 53 years we imported, and now history has been changed. History was changed because of a presidential policy for food self-sufficiency, which then assigned the task to Polri,” said Rycko at the Police Science Studies Centre, STIK-PTIK Complex, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Wednesday (24/6/2026). “So Polri is not only capable of carrying out its main duties, but is also capable of making history in Indonesia’s food history. This is making history,” he continued. In addition to highlighting Polri’s role, which was deemed successful in accelerating national corn production, Rycko also invited all parties to evaluate or conduct a critical review of the 53 years Indonesia spent importing corn. “So, what can be learned from Polri’s success? How could it change 53 years of importing history in just two years?” Rycko asked. Rycko then discussed government policies in the food sector. The policies in question cover four factors: availability, access, utilisation, and stability. “Alright, let us dissect the government’s food policies one by one. The government’s food policies are, firstly, availability, then access, then utilisation, and finally stability. How is it that these corn programmes have not been running optimally in the community? Does the problem lie with the government, the community, or is the programme simply unworkable?” Rycko questioned. Through a critical review, Rycko said the government could learn lessons so that corn production in the future can remain optimal. “Where should optimisation be focused? On government policy together with ministries and agencies? On the community sector? Or on the food commodity itself?” he asked. He then quoted the explanation of the National Police’s Assistant for Human Resources, Inspector General Anwar, who serves as the Head of the Police Food Task Force. From this, Rycko suspected that capital was one of the obstacles for farmers. “Mr Anwar has already answered, for example regarding availability. Mr Anwar said that just to clear land, the community needs money; clearing good land costs around Rp 2 million. That is for land that is already flat, with no large trees, swamps, or peat soil, it costs around Rp 2 million,” Rycko explained, quoting Inspector General Anwar. “If the land is peat or swamp, clearing a large area costs even more. So, this is about capital. The key is capital. Farmers’ capital to clear land. Where does the capital come from? This must be discussed. Should the government take over, or should our banks take over?” he asked. Furthermore, Rycko spoke about the issue of seeds. He said farmers need superior seed varieties, but in reality, farmers take seeds from plants they have previously grown. “Then, the second issue is the availability of seeds. These seeds are passed down through generations by farmers, taken from previous crops. Can we, the government, provide superior seeds? Seeds that are the result of research into superior varieties. Seeds that grow easily, quickly, are pest-resistant, and produce quickly. And are weather-resistant or resilient, that is what we need,” Rycko asserted. Rycko then discussed the problem of availability and access to fertiliser. Rycko admitted that he has delved into farming activities and what he has felt is that the cost of fertiliser and other supporting components is not economical, meaning that profits from harvest sales cannot be felt. “This is another critical input, namely fertiliser. Our fertiliser, on paper, is sufficient. However, the reality on the ground is not. I am a farmer too. I plant rice, three harvest seasons, only the first season is profitable, and the second and third are not enough to buy materials. Because the price is expensive, taking money from the harvest proceeds, in the end, the money cannot be used,” he explained. Rycko then spoke about access to sales. He said that if harvest yields and prices are still determined by middlemen, then farmers will not prosper. “Then, access. If it is still controlled by middlemen, farmers will not be able to produce. Moreover, our farmers, from the time they start tilling the soil until harvest, need at least three months. During those three months, what do they eat? This will later be critically reviewed,” he concluded.