The aim is to provide food to 280 million Indonesian citizens, improve the welfare of farmers, and boost exports.
Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - Head of the Ministry of Agriculture's Agricultural Human Resources Development and Extension Agency (BPPSDMP) Dedi Nursyamsi has said that boosting productivity is key for successful agricultural development.

"The aim is to provide food to 280 million Indonesian citizens, improve the welfare of farmers, and boost exports," he said virtually at the "Successful Meeting of Farmers and Extension Workers" event held here on Tuesday.

The event was organized as a part of the XVI Indonesian Farmers and Fishers National Week, which is being observed from June 10 to 15, 2023, in Padang, West Sumatra.

Food self-sufficiency can be achieved again through collaboration and synergy among various parties, Nursyamsi noted. The government, researchers, extension workers, and farmers must play their role in this.

"History has proven that sound cooperation between researchers who make technological innovation, extension workers who deliver (information), and farmers who implement (the innovations) can boost agricultural productivity," he said.

He recalled that Indonesia managed to maintain food self-sufficiency from 1970 to 1984. At the time, the government carried out various strategic programs in the agricultural sector massively, one of which was the Mass Mentoring Program.

"Even in 1984, our rice productivity reached 4.8 tons to 4.9 tons per hectare, almost 5 tons, which made Indonesia, from initially the biggest rice importer country in the world, become self-sufficient in food," he highlighted.

He then invited all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to help boost agricultural productivity.

Meanwhile, head of the Agricultural Training Center of BPPSDMP, Muhammad Amin, said that Tuesday's event was aimed at motivating participants, stimulating achievements, and opening the minds of farmers, fishers, and extension workers.

The event was attended by 1 thousand people comprising 600 extension workers and 400 farmers and members of the executive board of the Andalan Fishers and Farmers Association (KTNA).

Related news: Public interest in organic agricultural products grows: BRIN
Related news: Village Ministry, IFAD review TEKAD Project in eastern Indonesia
Related news: Govt seeking to boost agricultural productivity: Minister







Translator: Miko Elfisha, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023