Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman urges USU to ensure food self‑sufficiency

Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman addressed a public lecture at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in Medan, emphasizing the province’s key role in the country’s recent achievement of food self‑sufficiency. He cited data from the Central Statistics Agency and the FAO showing Indonesia ranking second worldwide in agricultural output, with Sumatra Utara’s production rising sharply. The minister noted that national grain stocks have reached five million tonnes, filling the 73,000‑ton Bulog warehouse in Sumatra Utara and prompting the agency to lease an additional 21,000‑ton facility.

During the same event, Sulaiman responded to a student’s story about financing his studies by selling mochi. He provided the student with a Rp5 million business grant, a Rp5 million cash gift for the student’s mother, and arranged a scholarship through PTPN IV PalmCo or his own foundation to cover the remainder of the student’s tuition. The minister also highlighted ongoing anti‑mafia actions in the agriculture sector, mentioning 77 suspects processed and internal staff removals for violations, and warned against price manipulation in palm oil transactions.

The lecture concluded with calls for youth innovation, collaboration, and continued vigilance to protect the integrity and sustainability of Indonesia’s agricultural sector.