Government to realize self-sufficiency in garlic in 2019
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The Agriculture Ministry has targeted to achieve self sufficiency in garlic in 2019, sooner than its previously set target of 2033, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman stated here, Monday.
Sulaiman noted after the delivery of the Supreme Audit Agency Report that the decision to advance the target was made following recent fluctuations in the prices of the commodity.
“We are learning from the recent fluctuations in the prices of garlic. Earlier, we had planned to become self-sufficient in garlic in 2033. However, we would advance the target; god willing, it would be in 2019 or 2020. We are aiming to advance the target by 13 years,” he remarked.
According to the minister, a total of 60 thousand hectares of land will be needed to realize the target.
Currently, some 90 percent of the countries garlic demand is met through imports annually reaching some 500 thousand tons worth Rp20 trillion.
“If we can have 60 thousand hectares of (garlic plantations), then we can save Rp20 trillion in foreign exchange while boosting the farmers income,” he added.
Sulaiman noted that the ministry will maximize the existing land potential, including four million hectares of rain-fed land and 21 million hectares of former swamp areas.
“We can cultivate (garlic) in these four million hectares of land, with three harvests a year. Farmers could earn Rp150 trillion-Rp200 trillion from this. Secondly, we have 21 million hectares of swap areas that we can use for farming along with building a sugar factory. If we can achieve this, then we can become the worlds largest food producers,” Sulaiman remarked.
Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed that 22,630 tons of garlic was imported from China as of April, while 1,971 tons of the commodity was imported from India during the same period.
Indonesia has recorded self-sufficiency in garlic production in the period between 1990 and 1998.
Questions & Answers
Q.What prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to bring forward its self-sufficiency target for garlic?
What prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to bring forward its self-sufficiency target for garlic?
The decision to advance the target was made due to recent fluctuations in the prices of the commodity. The Minister stated they were learning from these price changes.
Q.How much land is required to achieve the new self-sufficiency goal for garlic, and what financial benefit could this bring?
How much land is required to achieve the new self-sufficiency goal for garlic, and what financial benefit could this bring?
A total of 60,000 hectares of land is needed to meet the target. This could save the country Rp20 trillion in foreign exchange and boost farmers' incomes.
Q.What existing land resources does the ministry plan to utilise to support agricultural goals, including garlic production?
What existing land resources does the ministry plan to utilise to support agricultural goals, including garlic production?
The ministry plans to maximise four million hectares of rain-fed land and 21 million hectares of former swamp areas. This potential could also lead to three harvests a year in some areas.
Q.Which countries were the primary sources of garlic imports for Indonesia as of April?
Which countries were the primary sources of garlic imports for Indonesia as of April?
As of April, the Central Bureau of Statistics data shows that 22,630 tons of garlic were imported from China. Another 1,971 tons of garlic were imported from India during the same period.
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