Superior Seeds Deemed Key to Boosting National Rice Production Superior seeds are one of the keys for Indonesia to achieve food self-sufficiency Rep: Frederikus Bata/ Red: Intan Pratiwi

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) emphasizes that the use of superior seeds is key to increasing national rice productivity. This was stated by the Director of Food Crop Protection, Ladiyani Retno Widowati, at the 10 Ton Community Rice Harvest Festival organized by Syngenta Indonesia in Subang Regency, West Java, on Saturday (4/10/2025). The event was attended by various stakeholders. Ladiyani Retno emphasized that the quality of seeds determines the success of production. “No matter how good the fertilizer, the soil, or the irrigation, drones, if the seeds are not good, the plants cannot grow well,” she said. She mentioned that Syngenta, together with breeders, has been working to produce superior seeds. The potential yield of rice seeds being developed currently can reach 13-14 tons per hectare. However, the average national rice productivity is still in the range of 5.2 tons per hectare. “This means there is still a gap to be closed. A complete ...