"We at the Jakarta government are grateful that we continue to receive support from the Agriculture Ministry, including in facing the challenges. I am grateful that we all have food in Jakarta," Baswedan said.
He made the statement after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo regarding the provision of sacrificial livestock and food by the ministry to Jakarta.
The Jakarta government believes that food stocks are currently sufficient and under control, and there is no shortage or scarcity, he added.
"Thank God, everything went well. Even (when it comes to) the supply of sacrificial cattle, which has been talked about a lot as of late, (as the) foot-and-mouth disease has been spreading rampantly, we are very confident that with the SOPs (standard operating procedures) implemented by the Agriculture Ministry, this FMD (issue) can be addressed properly," Baswedan remarked.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo emphasized that the food sector is vital and interconnected to other sectors, including employment and inflation.
"Food is not only (about) eating. Food is also (about) employment; it (relates to) economic stabilization and inflation. In fact, food is what makes other industries work. So, what we are doing is for the benefit of many people," Limpo remarked.
The ministry will cater to Jakarta's needs for the upcoming Eid al-Adha by providing thousands of livestock and other food commodities, such as onions, cooking oil, rice, and various types of chilies.
He assured of a large supply of chili and livestock from their largest producers, such as Sumedang, Wonosobo, Temanggung, Kediri, to Sulawesi.
As for safety measures, the minister said that the vaccination program for livestock is still being pursued; and cattle originating from zones with rampant FMD spread have been inspected, quarantined, and provided vitamins.
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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