Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Rachmat Pambudy, stated that cassava development in Indonesia has significant prospects. "Cassava development has significant prospects because cassava is one of Indonesia's strategic food commodities," he said at the inauguration of the National Cassava Center at the University of Lampung, according to an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He is optimistic that Indonesia has significant potential to become a major player in cassava commodity development. With a productivity target of 60 tons per hectare, cassava is expected to become a strategic raw material that can strengthen national competitiveness while driving economic growth based on local resources. According to Rachmat Pambudy, the increase in cassava prices from around IDR 600–700 per kilogram last year to around IDR 2,200 per kilogram currently opens up greater opportunities to improve farmer welfare. "This is our time to improve the welfare of our (cassava) farmers," said the Head of Bappenas.
On the same occasion, Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal highlighted Lampung Province's significant contribution to national cassava production. He stated that Lampung accounts for more than 70 percent of national cassava production. Eight of the province's 15 regencies are cassava production centers, supported by a growing tapioca industry.
