Transmigration Minister Iftitah Promotes Superior Commodities to Strengthen National Food Security
Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara has stated that the future of Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency is not solely determined by increased production. According to him, self-sufficiency is also measured by the ability to develop superior commodities that provide added value for farmers.
“The President’s directive is very clear, which is to achieve food self-sufficiency. Rice certainly remains the main commodity, but Indonesia also has many other food commodities with enormous potential to strengthen national food security while improving community welfare,” Iftitah said in a written statement on Tuesday (14/7/2026).
This was conveyed by Iftitah during a visit to the Edo Farm banana demonstration plot in Sentul, West Java, on Monday (13/7). The demonstration plot is managed by Rusli and serves as an example of developing high-economic-value banana commodities.
According to Iftitah, strengthening various commodities according to each region’s potential is an important part of reinforcing national food security while improving community welfare. The President’s directive to achieve food self-sufficiency must be realised by optimising all of Indonesia’s food potential.
He assessed that the agricultural development paradigm needs to be continuously directed towards creating added value, so that a commodity’s success is measured not only by production volume but also by the economic benefits felt by farmers and the community.
“Food security must go hand in hand with farmer welfare. If farmers are not prosperous, food security will not be sustainable,” he said.
One commodity considered to have great prospects is the banana. Domestic and international market demand continues to rise, while its development potential is spread across various regions of Indonesia, including transmigration areas. With this potential, bananas are deemed worthy of becoming a strategic commodity to strengthen food diversification while driving regional economic growth.
Minister Iftitah emphasised that building superior commodities is not enough by merely increasing production. What is more important is building a complete business ecosystem, starting from strengthening farmer institutions through cooperatives, processing, storage, logistics, to market certainty through partnerships with off-takers.
“We want farmers not only to be able to produce quality products but also to have market certainty. When the market opens, prices improve, investment follows, farmer incomes rise, and community welfare is lifted,” he explained.
As an initial step, the Ministry of Transmigration is exploring the development of a banana production centre in Lampung. This model is expected to become a pilot for commodity development based on regional potential that can strengthen food security while creating new economic growth centres in transmigration areas.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transmigration is expanding collaboration with universities, the business sector, and local governments to strengthen research, innovation, technology transfer, and the development of superior commodities based on local potential. This synergy is expected to produce a modern agricultural model that is productive, competitive, sustainable, and capable of opening more employment opportunities in transmigration areas.