In the most recent presidential debate on January 7, 2024, a fiery topic of discussion was the contentious cassava food estate project overseen by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto. Candidate number one, Anies Baswedan, seized the moment to dissect the project, alleging that it only favoured select groups, caused environmental devastation, and failed to produce any tangible results.
Anies persisted in voicing his concerns about the project during his campaign in Gorontalo. He proposed that the budget designated for the food estate should be redirected to small-scale farmers, arguing that the project primarily served the interests of corporations or private entities.
The involvement of Prabowo as the head of the project stirred up controversy due to its association with a multi-sectoral initiative spearheaded by President Joko Widodo. This project aimed to address the food crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and involved various ministries, including the Ministry of Defense. The President stressed that food security was an integral part of national defense.
Prabowo introduced the concept of establishing cassava centres in several regions, with one of them situated in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan. The ambitious goal was to create an integrated cassava production and industry hub there, as cassava was deemed a readily cultivable alternative staple food.
To execute this plan, heavy equipment, hundreds of workers, and even military personnel were mobilized to clear the forest in Gunung Mas and transform it into cassava plantations. Approximately 700 hectares of forest were cleared for the project, even before an environmental impact analysis was completed. The project was slated to cover tens of thousands of hectares in Gunung Mas.
Predictably, the repercussions unfolded as deforestation above residential areas led to flooding when the rains arrived. Subsequently, it was revealed that the project was a complete failure. The cassava planted there failed to grow, and the envisioned cassava production and industry hub never materialized.
The perspectives on the food estate varied widely. Erwin Aksa, Vice Chairman of the National Campaign Team of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, defended the food estate as a crucial component of efforts to build food security. On the other hand, the campaign team of Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar (AMIN) highlighted the poor planning of the project, emphasizing inadequacies in business models, land suitability, local farmer involvement, and the environmental impact assessment.
The campaign team of Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD focused on the link between food security and agrarian reform, emphasizing the importance of local community participation and governance. Environmentalists also voiced their concerns, emphasizing the historical failures of previous food estate projects.
In conclusion, the cassava food estate project led by Prabowo Subianto raises critical questions about environmental sustainability, community participation, and the efficacy of government programs. As the nation navigates the challenges of food security and environmental preservation, it is vital to re-evaluate and learn from past mistakes to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
