KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia's upland areas, boasting a development potential of 5.51 million hectares for food, horticulture, plantation, and livestock commodities, are now the focus of a strengthened initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).

Through its Upland Project (The Development of Integrated System in Upland Areas), the government aims to boost national food security, aligning directly with President Prabowo Subianto's eight priority programs (Asta Cita).

Director General of Agricultural Land and Irrigation at Kementan, Hermanto, affirmed in a press statement in Jakarta on Friday, December 5, 2025, that the Ministry is currently focused on rapidly increasing productivity and farmer welfare via the Upland Program.

This initiative, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is hailed as a major leap toward integrated, productive, resilient, and sustainable modern agriculture.

“The characteristic of upland soil is highly supportive for improved fertility, which means the soil’s ability to provide environmental conditions to support optimal growth for upland crops can be met,” said Hermanto, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that the Upland Program employs an integrated farming system approach covering the entire production and post-harvest chain, starting with the construction of irrigation infrastructure and farm-to-market roads.

The program also involves the adoption of modern cultivation technology, strengthening farmer institutions, and empowering women through enhanced family nutrition. Hermanto noted that this program is a strategic Kementan policy designed to reduce community poverty and enhance food security in upland areas through sustainable livelihoods.

In Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java, for instance, farmers have directly felt the positive impact of the Upland Program's implementation. The Head of the Tasikmalaya Regency Agriculture, Food Security, and Fisheries Agency, Tatang Wahyudin, said the program successfully reopened agricultural opportunities in the southern region that previously suffered from water shortages.

“Areas that were unable to plant rice before are now productive again thanks to the availability of irrigation. This program has even encouraged the resurgence of organic farming potential,” Tatang emphasized.

In a similar vein, Ahmad Ismail, Chairman of the Sri Asih Mandiri Farmer Group in Sukahening Village, reported that his group’s agricultural production had significantly increased since receiving guidance and facilities from Upland.

Similarly, Hendar, manager of the Organic Fertilizer Processing Unit in Padawaras Village, mentioned that neglected farmlands in his village are now re-irrigated, and their organic fertilizer is better packaged, all thanks to the program’s support. With the visible achievements already demonstrated, Kementan is optimistic that Indonesia's upland areas can become a new engine for agricultural sector growth in the future. ***