M. Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that he will proceed with the Food Estate program despite criticism from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). PDIP mentioned in its criticism that the program is loaded with vested interests.

Meanwhile, the president said that the Food Estate program is necessary to anticipate a food crisis. "Every region, every state, is now facing a food crisis. Wheat is a problem in every country. Food prices are also rising drastically, for example, sugar and rice," said President Jokowi in Central Jakarta on Friday, August 18, 2023.

He mentioned that the jolt in global food prices occurred due to the export ban in several producer countries to secure their own domestic supplies. Therefore, Food Estate has to be realized.

"Food Estate is necessary as a stock, whether it's strategic stock or, when [the domestic supply] is abundant, for export. Since other countries may need [the stock]," he said.

Previously, General Secretary of PDIP Hasto Kristiyanto said that Food Estate implementation is loaded with a vested interest. Hasto referred to the organizer of the program, PT Agro Industri Nasional (Agrinas). According to Hasto, the company is full of Prabowo's relations.

Based on Tempo's 2021 investigation, PT Agrinas has 60 hectares of land in Kertarahayu Village, Bekasi, West Java. The notary deed of the company's establishment mentioned several people affiliated with Gerindra Party headed by Prabowo.

Hasto also emphasized that PDIP is not opposing the Food Estate program. According to Hasto, the program is intended to realize food sovereignty in Indonesia. "The policy is good, but the implementation is not," said Hasto.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1761413/jokowi-to-proceed-with-food-estate-program-despite-criticis