Jember, East Java, July 11 -- Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono on Friday outlined a series of steps to achieve food self-sufficiency and end imports of rice, corn, and salt, including optimizing agricultural lands.

"Under President Prabowo Subianto's leadership, we are optimistic about achieving food self-sufficiency by boosting production, optimizing agricultural land, and improving farmers' welfare," he said here.

At a harvest activity in Sukamakmur Village, Ajung Sub-district, Jember District, East Java, he said that agricultural harvests can be increased by planting more crops, using high-quality seeds, and repairing irrigation systems.

"There are around six thousand hectares of rain-fed rice fields in Jember, which can be ...