Prabowo Reaffirms Food–Energy Self-Sufficiency, Calls Palm Oil a Miracle Crop

Speaking at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting of Central and Regional Governments at the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor, West Java, on Monday (2 February 2026), Prabowo outlined what he described as a national transformation strategy.

He stressed that the strategy prioritises health security, quality education, and adequate income, distilled into eight core pillars derived from 17 priority programmes.

At its heart, Prabowo said, lies an unavoidable goal: food and energy self-sufficiency. He emphasised that true independence and prosperity cannot be achieved without securing domestic food production and energy supply.

Within this framework, Prabowo highlighted palm oil as a strategic asset, describing it as a miracle crop with vast downstream potential—from food and consumer products to biodiesel.

According to him, palm-based biodiesel could save billions of dollars in foreign exchange and reduce dependence on imported fuels, ensuring that economic value circulates within Indonesia.

Prabowo concluded by reiterating the importance of free nutritious meals for children, calling it a long-term investment in human capital and the nation’s future.