
InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – In an effort to accelerate national food security, the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) continues to promote the intercropping of gogo rice in oil palm plantation areas. This initiative is believed to contribute to achieving food self-sufficiency while optimizing the use of existing plantation land.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman urged his team to maximize the potential of every piece of land, including palm oil plantations. "We must continue to innovate to support food self-sufficiency. Intercropping gogo rice is one way to make existing land more productive," he stated.
As a form of collaboration, the Directorate General of Plantations of Kementan held a coordination meeting to accelerate food self-sufficiency on Friday (December 20, 2024). This meeting involved various parties, including PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) IV PalmCo, heads of plantation offices from Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi, as well as representatives from the private sector.
Acting Director General of Plantations, Heru Tri Widarto, explained that intercropping gogo rice is a strategic solution that not only increases food production but also supports the sustainability of the plantation sector. "Starting in early 2025, we will conduct simultaneous planting of gogo rice in palm oil plantations gradually. This process will be supported by the acceleration of CPCL (Candidate Farmers Candidate Land) and cooperation with local governments, PTPN, and private sectors," Heru stated in a statement quoted by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (December 23, 2024).
Furthermore, Heru added that this program is also directed at the People's Palm Oil Plantations (PSR) to provide dual benefits for farmers. By planting gogo rice in the gaps of palm oil plantations, farmers can gain additional income to support their livelihoods.
Director of Institutional Relations at PTPN IV PalmCo, Irwan Perangin-angin, expressed his support for this program. He emphasized PTPN IV's commitment to successfully implementing intercropping gogo rice, both in community-owned and company-owned palm oil plantations. "We fully support this program from the Ministry of Agriculture. The synergy between the government and the private sector will be the key to success in achieving national food self-sufficiency," Irwan said.
Through this intercropping program, the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to significantly enhance food security while strengthening the governance of the plantation sector sustainably. This optimism marks a significant step towards a more robust food security future. (T2)