Eyewitness News – RENON
July 10, 2026
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has called on the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) to support the acceleration of food sovereignty programs across the province.
The Governor made the appeal during the inauguration of Made Muliawan Arya, popularly known as De Gadjah, as the Chairman of the Bali Regional Executive Board (DPD) of HKTI for the 2026–2031 term. The ceremony took place at the Wantilan Hall of the Bali Provincial Parliament (DPRD) on Friday (July 10).
The newly appointed DPD HKTI Bali leadership lineup was officially inaugurated by the Chairman of the National Executive Board (DPN) of HKTI, Sudaryono, who also currently serves as Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
In his keynote address, Governor Koster highlighted that Bali’s agricultural sector has generally shown positive development.
”By our calculations, our local production is sufficient to meet the food demands of the Balinese people. In fact, we are experiencing surpluses in several commodities, including rice, corn, shallots, and chili,” Koster stated.
However, the Governor noted that Bali continues to face a deficit in garlic production, forcing the region to remain reliant on imports.
According to the two-term governor, this deficit persists because consumers prefer imported garlic, which is cheaper than locally grown varieties. To address this issue, the Bali Provincial Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Food Security, is actively expanding garlic cultivation areas in several regencies, including Bangli, Jembrana, and Karangasem.
“I am continuously pushing for the expansion of garlic cultivation areas. Once local production is sufficient, we can halt imports altogether,” he added, emphasizing that the initiative is integral to achieving self-sufficiency. “Achieving food sovereignty remains one of Bali’s primary development priorities.”
Governor Koster further elaborated on agriculture’s vital role in the local economy, contributing 14 percent to Bali’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). Consequently, the provincial government places a high priority on the sector.
“We are currently working to enhance agricultural capacity from upstream to downstream,” Koster said.
In tandem with these efforts, the provincial administration is prioritizing organic farming, particularly on paddy fields. The Governor revealed that out of 64 hectares of rice fields, 60 percent have already received organic certification.
”This aligns with the implementation of Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 8 of 2019 concerning the Organic Agriculture System,” he explained.
The program has been met with enthusiasm from local farmers due to the increased economic value of organic yield. “This is also crucial for conserving our biodiversity and ensuring that we do not disrupt the ecosystem,” Koster remarked.
However, the surging interest in organic farming has led to a recent shortage in liquid fertilizer supply. “We hope to secure a larger quota to meet this growing demand. Previously, it was difficult to steer farmers toward organic methods, but recently, their enthusiasm has skyrocketed,” the Governor added.
Concluding his remarks, Governor Koster extended his congratulations to the newly inaugurated HKTI chairman and board members, expressing hope that strong collaboration between the government and HKTI would drive substantial progress in Bali’s agricultural sector.
Echoing the sentiment, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono urged HKTI Bali to play an active role in national food security programs.
”HKTI must act as a bridge for our farmers’ needs. I hope to see an end to farmers living in hardship and agricultural products being purchased at unfairly low prices,” Sudaryono stated. He also lauded the Bali Provincial Government’s initiatives and pledged full ministry support, including an increased quota for liquid fertilizer.
Meanwhile, the newly minted HKTI Bali Chairman, De Gadjah, expressed his gratitude to Governor Koster for enabling the inauguration to proceed smoothly despite a very brief preparation window.
De Gadjah described Governor Koster as a savior figure who prioritizes synergy for the greater good of Bali. He emphasized that his new leadership role is a profound trust and responsibility that must be executed diligently.
“With the Governor’s support, we will collaborate closely for the ultimate benefit of Balinese farmers,” De Gadjah concluded.
Reporter: Daniel Herry
