Indonesia Revives Garlic Self-Sufficiency Ambitions through Strategic Breeding Program

Government Initiative to Reduce Import Dependence

The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to achieve garlic self-sufficiency by focusing on a comprehensive seed cultivation program. Vice Agriculture Minister Sudaryono revealed that the country requires only 100,000 hectares of land to fulfill domestic garlic demands, emphasizing that the initial phase is now concentrated on scaling up seed production ¹

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Historical Context and Current Challenges

DEN Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan provided historical context by noting that Indonesia had previously achieved garlic self-sufficiency in 1995, but production has been declining since 2020 ²

. This decline has necessitated a strategic response to revitalize domestic production capabilities.

Science-Driven Approach to Boost Production

Luhut convened a meeting with key research institutions, including the Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM), to emphasize the importance of developing superior garlic varieties and implementing science-based research. This approach aims to enhance crop yields and quality while reducing reliance on imported garlic seeds ²

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Implementation Timeline and Expectations

While specific timelines for achieving garlic self-sufficiency remain unspecified - with Sudaryono stating "as soon as possible" - the government's optimism is grounded in previous successful experiences with agricultural self-sufficiency programs ¹

. The initiative represents a comprehensive approach combining agricultural development with scientific research to address current production shortfalls.