Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Vice Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the downstream development of agricultural commodities while optimizing the use of social forestry lands.
During a meeting with the Directorate General of Plantations at the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta on Friday (October 3, 2025), Vice Minister Rohmat said that synergy between the two ministries is a strategic step to support President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, particularly in achieving national food self-sufficiency.
“The Minister of Forestry has held discussions with the Minister of Agriculture regarding the utilization of forest areas to enhance food security. The first phase focuses on optimizing social forestry lands. Currently, around 8.1 million hectares have been granted for community management through more than 11,000 decrees, benefiting approximately 1.2 million households,” said Rohmat Marzuki.
He explained that social forestry lands have great potential to serve as centers for developing strategic commodities such as coffee, cocoa, pepper, nutmeg, coconut, and cashew nuts. Through an agroforestry approach, these lands can be cultivated sustainably by combining forestry species, fruit trees, and food or plantation crops.
“We want to ensure that the partnership between the two ministries remains strong and aligned with President Prabowo’s vision to strengthen national food security,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director General of Plantations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Abdul Rony Angkat, welcomed the initiative. “We fully support this collaboration to advance the downstream processing of plantation commodities on social forestry lands,” he stated.
The Ministry of Forestry is optimistic that this cross-sector collaboration will bring tangible benefits to forest communities while reinforcing national food security, in line with President Prabowo’s ‘One Year of Impact’ agenda. (*)
