Deputy Head of Bank Indonesia’s South Sulawesi Representative Office, Wahyu Purnama, emphasized that agriculture remains a vital contributor to the region's economic growth, accounting for 21% of South Sulawesi’s GDP. Speaking at a media gathering in Yogyakarta, he highlighted the province’s role as a national food producer, with annual rice production averaging 5.5 million tons and a surplus of 2.5 million tons. In the first quarter of 2025, South Sulawesi’s economy grew by 5.78%, driven in large part by the agricultural sector and supported by the provincial government’s Seed Independence Program.
To further strengthen this growth, efforts are being made to expand rice cultivation areas, improve irrigation infrastructure, and enhance the downstream processing of agricultural products through MSMEs. Wahyu noted the importance of empowering small and medium enterprises, which have consistently supported the economy—even during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Sulawesi managed to maintain economic growth above 5% during the pandemic, surpassing the national average. These strategies reflect a commitment to building a resilient and competitive local economy through agriculture and entrepreneurship.
