MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government is expanding garlic cultivation across 9,624 hectares of land spread across nine districts. The program is part of the regional government's efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector while improving food sovereignty in North Sumatra.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government is not focusing the development of garlic cultivation solely on expanding the planting area. At the same time, it aims to increase productivity, strengthen farmers' capacities, and establish reliable markets for their produce. This approach is considered important to ensure that the expansion of garlic cultivation delivers tangible economic benefits to farmers.
North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya made the statement during a coordination meeting on the implementation of the 2026 garlic program and preparations for 2027, held jointly with the Directorate General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia. The meeting took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Meeting Room I on the second floor of the North Sumatra Governor's Office, Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro Number 30, Medan.
Garlic Potential Across Nine Districts
Surya explained that North Sumatra has agro-climatic conditions that are particularly favorable for expanding garlic cultivation. The Provincial Government has identified a total development potential of 9,624 hectares across nine districts.
Samosir District has the largest land potential at 5,001 hectares. It is followed by Karo with 2,995 hectares, Humbang Hasundutan with 411 hectares, Simalungun with 384 hectares, Dairi with 288 hectares, Toba with 234 hectares, North Tapanuli with 198 hectares, Deli Serdang with 73 hectares, and Mandailing Natal with 40 hectares.
This distribution shows that garlic cultivation in North Sumatra has a relatively broad regional base. The regional government must now ensure that each area can make optimal use of its land potential. This includes ensuring adequate supplies of production inputs, improving farmers' skills, and strengthening the management and organization of cultivation activities.
According to
Surya, the availability of high-quality seeds is one of the most important factors in achieving optimal production results. At the same time, the government must ensure that clear markets are available for the harvest, including through support from buyers or so-called offtakers.
In addition to seed supply and market access, the North Sumatra Provincial Government is also focusing on strengthening the capacity of seed producers and farmer groups. These measures are necessary to enable farmers to improve cultivation quality while ensuring continuous garlic production.
"Therefore, we must increase productivity to achieve the target of 20 tons per hectare of fresh harvest," he said.
INCREASING GARLIC PRODUCTIVITY: North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya is pushing to increase garlic productivity toward a target of 20 tons of fresh harvest per hectare. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
Strengthening Productivity and Market Access
Surya said the North Sumatra Provincial Government would continue to promote and support the sustainable development of garlic cultivation. The regional government wants to prevent an increase in production from taking place without adequate market support, as this could undermine farmers' economic certainty and planning.
For this reason, the government is working to establish a link between increased production and secured market access. In this way, farmers will not only be able to produce larger quantities of garlic but also obtain reasonable prices for their harvests.
Securing markets is particularly important given the relatively high productivity target. Increased production must be accompanied by sufficient capacity to absorb the harvest so that farmers' produce does not face marketing difficulties.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government also considers cooperation between different levels of government to be an important component in developing the crop. Cooperation between the Provincial Government, district governments, and the Ministry of Agriculture is necessary to ensure that the program is implemented according to the specific needs of each region.
"Therefore, I hope coordination between the North Sumatra Provincial Government, the district governments, and the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to be strengthened. In this way, the development of garlic cultivation in North Sumatra can be carried out in a targeted and sustainable manner and provide tangible benefits to farmers," he said.
NORTH SUMATRA AS A STRATEGIC AREA FOR GARLIC DEVELOPMENT: Director General of Horticulture at the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Taufiq Ratule describes North Sumatra as a strategic area for garlic development to support national
food sovereignty. (PHOTO: Alexander AP Siahaan)
North Sumatra as a Strategic Development Area
Director General of Horticulture at the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Taufiq Ratule said North Sumatra is part of the national strategic development areas for
horticulture. The government has included North Sumatra in the development program, among other reasons, to achieve the target of garlic self-sufficiency.
According to Taufiq, North Sumatra's agro-climatic conditions offer significant opportunities for expanding garlic cultivation. This potential must be utilized optimally, including by strengthening local production and developing cultivation areas in a targeted manner.
The central government also sees the development of garlic cultivation in North Sumatra as strategically important for strengthening the national supply of the crop. Higher local production is expected to help reduce dependence on supplies from other regions while strengthening food security.
"The development of garlic cultivation is aimed at strengthening local supply and production. North Sumatra will become a center for garlic development to support national food sovereignty," he said in conclusion.
With a land potential of 9,624 hectares, North Sumatra has an important foundation for developing into one of the country's major centers of garlic cultivation. The North Sumatra Provincial Government must now ensure the sustainability of the program by providing high-quality seeds, strengthening farmers and seed producers, increasing productivity, and securing markets.
Integrated development is expected to help increase farmers' incomes while strengthening the contribution of the horticultural sector to the regional economy. At the same time, higher garlic production in North Sumatra's potential cultivation areas can support the government's agenda to achieve food sovereignty and national self-sufficiency. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala