"The Ministry of Agriculture will reward (regional) agriculture offices throughout Indonesia who are able to (record) a huge production of rice," acting agriculture minister Arief Prasetyo Adi said at a Simultaneous Cheap Food Movement event here on Monday.
Every region has the same responsibility toward realizing rice sufficiency, he underlined and expressed the hope that the promise of a reward would encourage regions to produce more rice to meet national needs.
To support this target, he asked the ministry's Directorate General of Food Crops, Directorate General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities, and the Agricultural Human Resources Development Agency to build synergies with echelon I officials.
He said that they need to work together to provide quality seeds to farmers, ensure fertilizer availability, and the readiness of extension workers.
He also urged the related parties to synergize with the Ministry of Home Affairs to mobilize involved officials in regions, including extension workers.
"Please give the contacts of all extension workers to (Home Minister) Tito Karnavian to help (the ministry's officials) who visit the region to contact the available extension workers," he said.
Improved communication will help the ministry's officials in finding solutions to agricultural problems in the regions, he added.
"Recently, we, together with the Karawang district head, tried to solve (complaints related to) rat and bird pests," he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the ministry is regularly conducting the Cheap Food Movement to stabilize food prices and distribute rice assistance to millions of families in Indonesia.
Related news: Food production still good despite El Nino impact: President Jokowi
Related news: Agriculture Ministry works with Bulog to absorb farmers' production
Translator: Kuntum R, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
