Indonesia's Food Self-Sufficiency Claim Sparks Debate

Early Achievement of Food Self-Sufficiency

President Prabowo Subianto announced that Indonesia has achieved food self-sufficiency a year ahead of the initial four-year target ¹

. In a speech during the Panen Raya event in Karawang on January 7, 2026, Prabowo attributed this success to the hard work and unity of the agricultural community. He emphasized that a nation's independence is reflected in its ability to feed its people without relying on other countries.

Expert Criticism and Call for Clarification

The announcement was met with scrutiny from experts, particularly Khudori from the Indonesian Economic Political Association (AEPI). Khudori questioned the lack of clear definition and specific parameters used to declare the achievement of food self-sufficiency ²

. He stressed that without a precise definition, it would be challenging for the public to assess the validity of the claim.

Implications of Food Self-Sufficiency

Achieving food self-sufficiency is considered a significant milestone for Indonesia, reflecting the country's ability to meet its food needs domestically. This development could have positive implications for national food security and potentially stabilize food prices. However, the absence of detailed metrics raises concerns about the transparency and accuracy of the achievement.