Indonesia’s “Big Food Farm” Plan: Turning the Archipelago into a Rice‑and‑Corn Factory
Jokowi (President Joko Widodo) kept his promises this week, announcing a massive new Food Estate that will cover a whopping 770,000 ha—that’s more than ten times Singapore’s landmass. The goal? Cut down on imports and put the whole country on its own food pedestal.
Who’s Pulling the Strings?
It’s led by the former rival who now serves as Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. Together, they’re mapping out the biggest agricultural park the Southeast Asian world has ever seen.
What Will They Grow?
- 148,000 ha earmarked for rice (the staple that keeps the nation fed)
- 622,000 ha of non‑irrigated land for crops like corn, maize, and other staples
- Starting with 30,000 ha of cassava—rising to 1.4 million ha by the end of 2025—so that the flour can be turned into everything from bread to noodles
Where Will the Estate Take Root?
Initially, the focus is on Central Kalimantan (Borneo) and North Sumatra. From there, it will spread to West Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, and South Sumatra. The plan includes building roads and infrastructure right away so that high‑tech farming equipment won’t be stuck in traffic.
Why Now?
Prabowo cited the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s warnings about food scarcity—especially after the pandemic—so the government was ready to act fast. “We must not depend on foreign supplies,” he stressed.
Historical Lessons & Environmental Concerns
Last time, in the 1990s, President Suharto launched the “Mega Rice Project” in Central Kalimantan. It turned out to be a disaster, largely because peatland was not suited for rice cultivation. This time, green groups worry that drying out peatland could spark large forest fires. Despite these concerns, the administration remains hopeful.
Key Takeaway
Indonesia is putting all its culinary resources into one giant farm—think of it as the “Great Kitchen” of the archipelago. If everything goes smoothly, the nation might very well become the new food power of Southeast Asia—and that’s a headline worth shouting.
