Jakarta, April 23 -- President Prabowo Subianto has underlined the need for technological innovation and research in the food sector, considering Indonesia's population is growing by 3.5 million per year.

After launching the Indonesia Planting Movement (Gerina) in Banyuasin district, South Sumatra province, on Wednesday, he said that cooperation between all parties, including agricultural experts, technology experts, entrepreneurs, engineers, and ulemas (Muslim scholars), is needed to address agricultural issues.

"If we are not innovative, we do not use technology, we will not have the courage to start," the President said via a voice note received here on Wednesday.

He said that food self-sufficiency can be achieved by creating food b...