Titiek Demands Swift Garlic Self-Sufficiency Without Imports

Chair of House of Representatives Commission IV, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, known as Titiek Soeharto, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve garlic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible, noting Indonesia’s dependence on imports for this commodity remains very high. During a working meeting with Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Food Agency in Jakarta on Wednesday, Titiek questioned why the garlic development programme was not listed among the national priority work programmes. She asserted that efforts to reach self-sufficiency must not simply become an annual talking point. “I want to ask again about garlic. Sir Minister, why is this no longer in the national priority work programme?” Titiek asked Andi Amran Sulaiman during the meeting’s detailed session. Amran responded that the programme is already in planning and has not been postponed until next year. Amran said the Ministry of Agriculture has shifted Rp260 billion in this year’s budget specifically for garlic development. The move follows up on input and aspirations conveyed by Commission IV to the ministry. Titiek, however, reiterated that the main issue is not merely budget availability. She questioned why the programme did not appear as a national priority in the documents presented to Commission IV. Responding, the Minister explained the omission was likely due to a drafting error in the document. He assured that garlic development remains part of the government’s agenda and has been allocated funds in the current year. Titiek responded by emphasising that garlic development is not just a regional aspiration, but a national necessity. According to her, all parties must share the commitment to reduce import dependence and achieve self-sufficiency. She reminded that around 80 to 85 per cent of national garlic needs are still met through imports, despite garlic being a commodity used by society every day for various consumption needs. “So we all must agree, we must have self-sufficiency. Sir, you must set a target for when we will achieve self-sufficiency?” Titiek stressed. Consequently, Titiek asked the Ministry of Agriculture to set a clear target for when Indonesia can achieve garlic self-sufficiency. According to her, measurable targets are needed so that the programme has a definite direction and evaluation. She is optimistic the target can be achieved with budget support and production centre development. According to Amran, the main challenge for garlic development lies in the characteristics of the seed, which has a lengthy dormancy period of about six to eight months. This situation means production increases cannot proceed as rapidly as for other commodities like rice. Amran explained the government has assigned several regions as garlic seed development centres, including Sembalun in West Nusa Tenggara, Temanggung in Central Java, and Humbang Hasundutan in North Sumatra. By strengthening seed centres and expanding planting areas targeted to reach 18,000 hectares next year, the government hopes the garlic self-sufficiency target can be achieved within three to five years. “Three years at the fastest, five years at the slowest. Because the dormancy period is the problem. Excuse me, if it were like rice, I could commit to two years, but the seed’s dormancy, that sleep lasts six months, eight months,” said the Minister.