Titiek: Food Self-Sufficiency Must Go Hand in Hand with Farmer Welfare
The Chair of the House of Representatives’ Commission IV, Titiek Soeharto, has stressed that the success of the national food self-sufficiency programme must not be achieved by sacrificing the welfare of farmers. According to her, farmers must be the first to feel the benefits of every government policy.
This was conveyed by Titiek Soeharto after leading a Commission IV working visit during a major rice harvest in Wonosari Village, Trucuk District, Klaten Regency, Central Java. Titiek assessed that efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector must go hand in hand with President Prabowo’s vision regarding food security.
‘The success of food self-sufficiency must go hand in hand with improving farmers’ welfare. Because prosperous farmers are the key to realising strong agriculture and Indonesia’s food sovereignty,’ Titiek said in her statement on Wednesday (15/7/2026).
The Gerindra Party legislator said Prabowo has established food self-sufficiency as a national strategic agenda. This policy is considered important for strengthening national sovereignty amidst the challenges of climate change, global economic uncertainty, and world geopolitical dynamics.
Titiek mentioned that Central Java, particularly Klaten Regency, is one of the national food barns. She said Klaten holds a strategic role in maintaining the stability of Indonesia’s rice supply.
She also urged that agricultural development must be carried out comprehensively through the provision of adequate production facilities, strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and modernising equipment and technology. She does not want the policies being promoted to make things difficult for farmers.
‘Do not let the policies made actually harm farmers. Farmers must be the first party to feel the benefits of every national food policy,’ said Titiek.
On that occasion, she also expressed appreciation to the farmers, agricultural extension workers, subsidised fertiliser distributors, local government, the Ministry of Agriculture, and state-owned enterprises that have worked together to increase national rice production. Titiek hopes the momentum of the major harvest in Klaten can strengthen national food productivity.
‘Hopefully production continues to increase, prices remain profitable, farmers’ welfare continues to improve, and Indonesian agriculture becomes more prosperous and sovereign,’ she concluded.