Farmers will contribute to determining the future of a country and the sustainability of a nation."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) opened the Asian Agriculture and Food Forum, which was attended by hundreds of farmers and members of the Indonesian farmers` association (HKTI) at the State Palace here on Thursday.
On the occasion, Jokowi underlined the importance of farmers because of the role they play in determining the future and sustainability of the nation as well as food supply.
"I have often conveyed that food is a future affair of the world as well as the nation. Men may go to the moon or to other planets or create more sophisticated robots, but the role of food is irreplaceable," he remarked.
He added that food would remain the basic necessity of men, meaning that farmers? profession would remain strategic and noble.
"Farmers will contribute to determining the future of a country and the sustainability of a nation," he revealed.
In view of that, he stated that the government would pay much attention to their livelihood and welfare.
"If the farmers are well-to-do, God willing, the nation`s peace would be maintained," he explained.
Jokowi appealed to the farmers to avoid working for themselves and asked them to "build groups, such as Poktan (farmers` group) or Gapoktan (federation of farmers` groups), although it is not enough as bigger groups will be needed to make them a bigger force. A bigger Poktan and a bigger Gapoktan are needed."
He remarked that there must be Poktan corporation, Gapoktan corporation, and farmers` corporation in big number to create a greater scale of economy. "If a private business can be big, I believe farmers can also do it," he revealed.
He added that it was this matter that he has so far always conveyed, adding that he would not wish to see farmers in the country being trapped in routine problems, such as fertilizer or seed problems that they have been mired in for tens of years so far.
He also emphasized the importance of professional management. "One must not only know production but also marketing, because the biggest profit is not when we plant or harvest but after harvest," he remarked.
On the occasion, he took an opportunity to hold a dialog with the farmers, including coffee farmers, chili and pepper farmers, and others, and also distributed bicycles as gifts.
Jokowi was flanked by Agriculture Minister Andy Amran Sulaiman, while Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, TNI (military) Commander General Hadi Tjahjanto, and Presidential Special Staff Johan Budi were also seen at the meeting.
(Reported by Hanni Sofia/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
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Editor: Priyambodo RH
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