The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is targeting the cessation of imports for four key food commodities by 2025: rice, corn, consumer salt, and consumer sugar. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono expressed hope that millennial farmers will actively contribute to this goal by directly engaging in the cultivation of these commodities, ensuring domestic agricultural production meets the country's needs. He praised Banyuwangi, an agrarian region known for its significant agricultural output and innovation, particularly with its increasing involvement of young people in farming.
During his working visit to Banyuwangi, East Java, Sudaryono commended the local government’s acceleration of agricultural programs, which has encouraged many young people to pursue careers in agriculture. He also expressed support for agricultural initiatives in this easternmost region of Java Island. Sudaryono was particularly pleased to see Banyuwangi’s youth participating in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Youth Entrepreneur and Employment Support Services (YESS) program, with around 9,000 young people involved out of a total 200,000 across the region. During his visit, Sudaryono toured organic rice production and packaging facilities and met with young farmers, motivating them to continue advancing the agricultural sector. Banyuwangi’s Regent, Ipuk Fiestiandani, thanked Sudaryono for his encouragement and support, highlighting the region's efforts to integrate organic farming systems, which have proven to be both economically beneficial and increasingly popular.
