Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Ministry of Agriculture are collaborating to support Indonesia’s food security programs. This year, the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated Rp 7,717,750,000 to support the partnership. Focuses on developing, supplying, and distributing locally developed soybean seeds, Gamagora 7 rice seeds, and cocoa planting materials. The partnership was highlighted during a visit by Indonesia’s Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, to the seed development center at UGM’s Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT) in Berbah, Kalitirto, Sleman, on Thursday (Oct. 15).
Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman expressed appreciation and pride in UGM’s hard work to strengthen Indonesia’s food security. He pledged full support, including increased funding, equipment, and other forms of assistance, to enable UGM to contribute even more. The seeds developed by UGM will be purchased directly for distribution throughout Indonesia.
“We appreciate UGM’s hard work and commitment. We will continue this collaboration and ensure that it proceeds as planned, in line with the President’s directive,” he said.
Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (Agriculture UGM), Professor Subejo, explained that the supply and distribution of Gamagora 7 rice seeds aim to expand superior rice varieties across different regions, in line with local needs and development potential. To date, Gamagora 7 seeds have been distributed to West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Lampung, Banten, Central Java, East Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, East Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi. Gamagora 7 offers high productivity, with an average yield of 7.95 tons per hectare and a maximum potential yield of 9.80 tons per hectare.
“To date, 170 tons of Gamagora 7 seeds have been supplied, valued at Rp 2.7 billion,” he said.
Meanwhile, for the planned supply of superior cocoa planting materials, UGM, PT Pagilaran, and the Ministry of Agriculture intend to distribute them by the end of 2026. The three varieties to be distributed are Sulawesi 02 clone, MCC 02 clone, and ICCRI 08 H hybrid, targeting three regencies: Brebes, Cilacap, and Batang.
UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM) lecturer and soybean variety developer Atris Suyantohadi explained that developing local soybeans through the Saekedelai platform is intended to help the government strengthen domestic food security. The initiative aims to improve local farmers’ productivity through technology, covering product traceability and quality from harvest to sale, while connecting farmers with industry partners.
“Through Saekedelai, soybean farmers can have greater certainty about their harvest and the income they will receive from selling their crops,” he said.
Atris also noted that UGM has reached local farmers in eight regencies across the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java. The soybeans being cultivated belong to the Grobogan variety, which has a potential yield of 3.4–3.6 tons per hectare.
Through the Saekedelai program, he hopes to strengthen domestic food security and reduce Indonesia’s previous reliance on imported soybeans. Universities can also help drive technological innovation that has a tangible impact and benefits communities.
“We hope that the development of pure, naturally bred, non-GMO local soybeans can support national food security and meet domestic demand for tempeh and tofu, while improving farmers’ welfare,” he said.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Firsto