"If the assistance I promised has not arrived in a week, send representatives from Demak to Jakarta. I will cover their travel and accommodations," Sulaiman noted in a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday.
The ministry delivered Rp30 billion (around US$1.9 million) worth of agricultural facilities and infrastructure assistance to Central Java flood victims. This included fertilizers, seeds, tools, and other harvesting equipment to expedite production.
"The total assistance amounts to Rp30 billion, including rice seeds for 10,000 hectares, agricultural insurance, pumps, combine harvesters, and tractors for three districts," Sulaiman remarked.
He explained that his ministry will distribute 75 tons of fertilizer, divided equally among the regencies of Demak, Grobogan, and Kudus.
"Demak, Grobogan, and Kudus have a total of 7,000 hectares. With the seeds, we are assisting 10,000 hectares, leaving an additional 3,000 covered free of charge," Sulaiman stated.
The Ministry of Agriculture will provide 30 rice harvesters, with 10 units each allocated to the three affected areas.
He said that greater attention should be given to farmers, as they have a strategic role to play and become the frontline in ensuring food availability for the nation and state.
Sulaiman believes that the economic and health crises can be overcome, but the food crisis will have a far more serious impact and have the potential to create social tensions and conflicts that threaten the country's stability.
"We can get through the economic crisis. We can get through the health crisis. However, if we do not try to address issues related to food, then it would be a national problem and give rise to social conflict. We will face serious issues if there is no food," he emphasized.
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Translator: M. Harianto, Yuni Arisandy
Editor: Anton Santoso
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