President Prabowo Subianto has always had a strong connection with farmers, as shared by Dedek Prayudi, Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO). This special bond can be traced back to Prabowo’s experiences during his time as an active-duty military officer and his leadership of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI). Dedek, also known as Uki, highlighted this during the grand corn harvest event for the Food Security Program in Jenggalu Village, Bengkulu Province.
The food security program, led by President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, holds significant importance in light of the global situation that calls for Indonesia to reduce its dependence on foreign food supplies. With major food-producing countries like India, Brazil, and China having the potential to halt exports, Indonesia could face soaring global food prices.
During the event, a harvest of around 10 tons from 1.5 hectares was achieved, showcasing the potential for growth with government support such as subsidized fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural machinery. Uki emphasized the need for expedited administrative processes to ensure farmers can access the necessary subsidies, as only 47 percent of the allocation had been utilized by August.
Kelik Budianan, Head of the Food Data and Information Center at the National Food Agency (Pusdatin Bapanas), expressed support for President Prabowo’s initiative by working with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to absorb farmers’ corn harvests. Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate the supply chains of farmers and livestock breeders for mutual benefit.
The collaborative efforts of stakeholders such as Sukaraja District Head Ramlan Effendi, Jenggalu Village Head Johni Midarling, Maret Samuel Sueken from the National Development Policy Assistance Network (JPKP), representatives from Pupuk Indonesia, and the local community of Jenggalu highlight a unified approach towards improving food security and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.
