Riezka Rahmatiana Leads West Java Police Garlic Self-Sufficiency Research Team in Sembalun

The West Java Police Garlic Self-Sufficiency Research Team carried out training and direct research activities at the garlic farming centre in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. This activity is part of efforts to strengthen knowledge and technical capability in garlic cultivation, from land preparation, planting and maintenance to cultivation techniques that have the potential to increase productivity and harvest quality. During the implementation, the team not only received theoretical material but also went directly to agricultural land to study garlic cultivation practices in real conditions. The activity was accompanied by a team of experts and garlic practitioners who provided guidance and technical experience to the participants. Sembalun was chosen as the learning location because the area is one of the national garlic development centres with supportive agro-climatic conditions. Through this research and field training activity, the West Java Police Garlic Self-Sufficiency Research Team is expected to bring the knowledge and best practices obtained from Sembalun to be developed in the West Java region. Riezka Rahmatiana, Field Coordinator of the West Java Police garlic self-sufficiency research team, confirmed that her team will bring the spirit of good practice obtained from Sembalun back to West Java. She also highlighted the very high demand for garlic in West Java. With garlic self-sufficiency, it is hoped that the region can become a force for independence and no longer depend on imports. ‘I hope West Java will not only be a consumer region but will become a strong, independent and sustainable garlic production centre,’ she added. This concrete step towards national food sovereignty will certainly not be realised if it is centred only on policy without a collective movement to make it succeed. ‘I am optimistic that this programme will succeed, especially with the synergy between the government, the police, academics, farmers, business actors and experts,’ Riezka continued. She hopes that Indonesia will not only be able to build garlic self-sufficiency but can also build strong, modern, independent and sustainable agriculture.