"We are convinced that the Jokowi-Ma'ruf pair will focus on maintaining Indonesia's food sovereignty, as the country is an agrarian state," Mochamad Husen, coordinator of the KMA Supporters House for Banten, stated here on Monday.
Husen noted that so far, President Jokowi paid significant attention to the agricultural sector to support food production.
Relatively large amount of funds have been allocated for food production to repair irrigation networks, provide seed and fertilizer assistance, and distribute agricultural tools.
The government has also built new rice fields in areas rich in water resources following the change in function from rice farming in several land spaces.
He said the seed assistance was distributed through a rice, maize, and soybean assistance program.
The supply of locally grown rice has flooded the traditional markets, so prices in the market have until now been relatively stable.
Likewise, maize cultivated by Banten farmers is able to meet the market demand in Jakarta, and Indonesian corn has also penetrated the export market.
"We believe that if the Jokowi-Ma`ruf presidential and vice presidential candidates are elected in the 2019 Presidential Election, they will be more serious about increasing food production," he explained.
Quoting a report received from the Department of Agriculture and Plantation of Lebak District, Husen remarked that the policy of President Jokowi was felt by farmers in this area through the allocation of agricultural budgets.
Currently, Lebak District receives budget allocations of up to Rp30 billion from the Central Government.
"We laud Lebak, as a food barn area over the past three years in Banten, and the success is inseparable from Jokowi`s policy," he added.
Reporting by Mansyur
Editing by Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
