President Prabowo Subianto spreads seeds using agricultural drone technology in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Wednesday (04/23). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
As part of the strategic effort to speed up crop planting and strengthen Indonesia’s food security and sovereignty, President Prabowo Subianto Wednesday (04/23) led a nationwide simultaneous rice planting initiative in Ogan Ilir regency, South Sumatra province, involving fourteen provinces across the country.
Upon his arrival, the President inspected a land revitalization project that transformed previously swampy and unproductive terrain into productive agricultural land.
The site, now a 105-hectare rice field, utilizes modern farming techniques.
“Alhamdulillah, today I was invited by Minister of Agriculture and Governor of South Sumatra to see firsthand the transformation of land that was once unproductive and, I was told, even inhabited by crocodiles. 105,000 hectares of rice fields are now being developed using some of the world’s most advanced techniques,” the President said.
During the visit, the President also tested the DJI Agras T40 agricultural drone, which is used to disperse rice seeds, noting that the drone can cover up to 25 hectares of land in a single day — a stark contrast to traditional manual methods, which could take up to 25 days to seed just one hectare.
“I tried it myself for the first time to control the drone that spreads seeds. It’s impressive. Planting one hectare could take 25 days with manual labor before but now with this technology, we can do 25 hectares in a single day,” he said.
The President also expressed strong optimism about Indonesia’s future in achieving food self-sufficiency and contributing globally as a major food producer.
“Indonesia will lead the world’s second green revolution. What once seemed impossible is now happening before our very eyes. We’re not only moving towards food self-sufficiency. Indonesia will become a global food hub,” he said.
The President also underscored the essential role of farmers in safeguarding national resilience and extended his appreciation to all stakeholders, from central and regional governments to farmer groups and agricultural partners, for their continued contributions.
“Together, across all regions, we are strengthening our capacity and increasing farmers’ income. Our farmers are the backbone of the nation. They produce food for all Indonesians. When our food supply is secure, our nation is secure,” he said, while reinforcing his administration’s commitment to equitable development and shared prosperity and stressing that real progress is already visible on the ground.
“Some claim Indonesia’s economy is only strong on paper. That’s not true, it is real. It is in front of us, and it is growing stronger. We are moving forward,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RIF/EP)
