Reviving Indonesia’s Soybean Glory: Gerakan Pramuka and HKTI Launch National Soybean Planting Initiative in Cibubur

Cibubur, 10 November 2025 — In commemoration of Indonesia’s Heroes Day, the National Quarter of Gerakan Pramuka, together with the National Leadership Council of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (DPN HKTI), supported by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the Directorate General of Food Crops, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), officially launched the National Soybean Planting Initiative at the Pramuka Campsite (Buperta) in Cibubur.

This collaborative effort marks an important step toward restoring Indonesia’s soybean self-sufficiency, revitalizing a commodity with deep historical, nutritional, and economic significance. The initiative also strengthens the realization of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, particularly in enhancing national food resilience and empowering Indonesian farmers.

Petrus Tjandra, Head of Soybean Affairs at DPN HKTI and the initiator of the program, emphasized the unique cultural relevance of soybeans in Indonesia.

“Every Indonesian grows up with tofu, tempeh, and soy milk. Yet, ironically, most of the soybeans we consume are still imported and GMO-based,” he stated.

FAO itself does not recommend broad consumption of GMO soybeans. Therefore, this initiative aims to revive high-quality local non-GMO soybeans as a leading plant-based protein source while opening new economic opportunities for domestic farmers.

The launch began with cultivation on a 5-hectare demonstration plot at Buperta. The harvest will be processed into certified seeds to support Indonesia’s national program to open 75,000 hectares of new soybean farmland across the archipelago. This strategic approach is expected to reduce soybean import dependency, expand productive farmland, and encourage both youth and farming communities to reengage in soybean cultivation.

The event was attended by key figures, including:
– Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bachtiar Utomo, Executive Chairman of HKTI and Secretary-General of Gerakan Pramuka
– H. Mulyadi Jayabaya, S.E, Deputy Chair for Food Affairs at KADIN Indonesia, along with KADIN Bogor delegation
– Representatives from the Directorate General of Food Crops
– Prof. Ageng and the FAO delegation
– Petrus Tjandra and members of DPN HKTI
– 36 members of the Pinggir Buperta Farmers Group

Their presence reflects a strong pentahelix collaboration model—uniting government, civil society, private sector, academia, and farmers—to advance Indonesia’s vision of food sovereignty.

Choosing Heroes Day as the launch date symbolizes a renewed national spirit: standing on our own strength and restoring pride in Indonesia’s agricultural products. Through this movement, stakeholders hope to see Indonesia rise again as a leading soybean-producing nation—demonstrating that food sovereignty is a modern form of heroism.