"We need ideas and breakthroughs. Every district must be able to become a food barn and promote the use of organic fertilizer," Limpo remarked here on Saturday.
Limpo made the encouragement on the occasion of the Millennial Farmer Ambassadors/Andalan Farmers professional meeting event organized by the ministry's Agricultural Human Resource Counseling and Development Agency (BPPSDMP) through the Center for Agricultural Education.
The event is part of the series of activities at the XVI Indonesian Farmers and Fishers National Week (Penas Tani) in Padang City, which is being held on June 10-15, 2023.
In his speech, the minister reiterated that the world will face a global food crisis that will hypothetically lead to a decline of 30 percent in agricultural productivity.
According to the minister, the millennial agriculture ambassadors have a strategic role in supporting the country's agriculture sector. They are expected to become part of the farmer regeneration process and wield adequate capability of anticipating climate change and global food crisis, he said.
"Millennial Farmer Ambassadors and Andalan Farmer Ambassadors are the future of this nation's agriculture," Limpo stressed.
On the occasion, the minister called on farmers to make the most of the capital facilities provided by the government through the bank's micro-credit (KUR).
"Optimize KUR to run and develop agricultural businesses," Minister Limpo said.
Head of the ministry's BPPSDMP Dedi Nursyamsi on the national week's second day, Sunday, endeavored to motivate the ambassadors, saying that the future of Indonesia's agricultural development is in their hands.
"In the next 10 years, you will be the actors who take part in the farmer regeneration process. For that reason, you must be prepared to accept the baton," he said.
The ambassadors are expected to proactively spread inspirational words regarding agricultural management to a broader population. During the meeting event, the ministry also encouraged the ambassadors to explore ways to become strong farmers and entrepreneurs.
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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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