Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni conducted the first sorghum harvest on Social Forestry land in Karawang Regency, West Java, on Saturday (March 15, 2025).
He stated that sorghum is a “miracle crop” with numerous benefits, including supporting Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency.
“We at the Ministry of Forestry continue to work under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto to support national food security by utilizing forest potential. Currently, there are still about 7 million hectares of land accessible to farmers, in addition to the 8 million hectares that have already been utilized,” said Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni after harvesting sorghum in Karawang on Saturday (March 15, 2025).
Through the Social Forestry program, the Ministry of Forestry provides farmers with access to forest land to cultivate various food commodities, such as sorghum, sago, and corn, which can serve as alternative food sources besides rice.
The Minister of Forestry emphasized that sorghum has extraordinary potential, as every part of the plant, from its leaves to its roots, can be utilized. This crop can serve as a substitute for rice, animal feed, bioethanol raw materials, and even sugar. Another advantage is that a single sorghum planting can yield three harvests, unlike corn, which only produces one harvest per planting cycle.
The Ministry of Forestry continues to support national food self-sufficiency by maximizing forest functions, particularly through the Social Forestry program. This initiative provides farmers with access to forest land to grow various food commodities, such as sorghum, sago, and corn, as alternative food sources besides rice.
“In addition to food diversification, social forestry also opens opportunities for downstream agricultural products to enter the culinary and other industries. With vast land potential, we can develop various crops that support national food security and reduce dependence on imports,” said Fadli Zon, Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers’ Harmony Association (HKTI), who also attended the event.
The Ministry of Forestry, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders, continues to encourage the utilization of forests to support food security and self-sufficiency. This effort aligns with the government’s vision of strengthening national food independence and improving farmers’ welfare through social forestry. **
