Inp.polri.go.id - Bandarlampung. The government has pledged to halt food imports starting in 2025 as part of its commitment to achieving national food self-sufficiency as announced by Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan during a food coordination meeting in Bandarlampung on Saturday (28/12/2024).

“Food self-sufficiency is a top priority, initially targeted for 2029 but advanced to 2027. This requires hard work and commitment from everyone,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Minister Zulfikli confirmed that no rice imports will occur in 2025 to encourage farmers to increase paddy production and maintain favorable market prices. Similarly, the government will not import salt, animal feed corn, or sugar, citing adequate domestic production.

“These four commodities are our starting point. Gradually, other goods will follow to optimize local production. Currently, we rely heavily on imports—up to 30 million tons annually—but now it’s time for food self-sufficiency,” he explained.

The push for food independence aligns with broader government goals, including water, energy self-sufficiency, and downstream industrial development, he added.

“Collaboration at all levels is crucial. This is the moment to build national food security and reduce reliance on imports,” Minister Zulkifli emphasized.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)