Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka on Wednesday handed out agricultural tools and machinery to farmers in Kupang district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, to help them address farming challenges.
According to a statement issued by his secretariat here, the equipment included hand tractors, water pumps, hand sprayers, four-wheeled tractors, and transplanters. The aid is intended to expedite agricultural modernization and boost farmers' productivity.
Speaking at a farming area in Baumata village, Taebenu sub-district, he highlighted that his two-day visit to the province was a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's instruction regarding the need to increase food security and farmers' welfare.
Taebenu is home to more than 1,800 farmers across 110 groups, who cultivate a variety of crops, particularly rice, with an average yield of 5.5 tons per 10 hectares.
During a discussion with local farmers, Gibran learned that the main challenges they are facing are related to water for irrigation, rising prices of food and seeds, and access to fertilizers.
He assured the farmers that Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, would work to address the adequacy of the irrigation system.
"Instead of working from his office, Mr. Minister prefers to go straight to the rice fields to talk with farmers," he remarked.
The Vice President also stressed that the government will pay attention to all concerns raised by farmers, adding that they can also report the problems they are facing to ministers, the governor, or the district head.
"I repeat, Mr. President Prabowo is deeply focused on the agriculture sector. I am confident that you will be enjoying top-notch services from the government for the next five years. We are committed to helping you," he told the farmers.
Minister Sulaiman, NTT Governor Melkiades Laka Lena, and Kupang district head Yosef Lede were among those who accompanied VP Gibran during the visit.
Related news: VP Gibran distributes aid to schoolchildren in Kupang
Related news: Govt committed to bolstering marine, fisheries sectors: VP
According to a statement issued by his secretariat here, the equipment included hand tractors, water pumps, hand sprayers, four-wheeled tractors, and transplanters. The aid is intended to expedite agricultural modernization and boost farmers' productivity.
Speaking at a farming area in Baumata village, Taebenu sub-district, he highlighted that his two-day visit to the province was a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's instruction regarding the need to increase food security and farmers' welfare.
Taebenu is home to more than 1,800 farmers across 110 groups, who cultivate a variety of crops, particularly rice, with an average yield of 5.5 tons per 10 hectares.
During a discussion with local farmers, Gibran learned that the main challenges they are facing are related to water for irrigation, rising prices of food and seeds, and access to fertilizers.
He assured the farmers that Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, would work to address the adequacy of the irrigation system.
"Instead of working from his office, Mr. Minister prefers to go straight to the rice fields to talk with farmers," he remarked.
The Vice President also stressed that the government will pay attention to all concerns raised by farmers, adding that they can also report the problems they are facing to ministers, the governor, or the district head.
"I repeat, Mr. President Prabowo is deeply focused on the agriculture sector. I am confident that you will be enjoying top-notch services from the government for the next five years. We are committed to helping you," he told the farmers.
Minister Sulaiman, NTT Governor Melkiades Laka Lena, and Kupang district head Yosef Lede were among those who accompanied VP Gibran during the visit.
Related news: VP Gibran distributes aid to schoolchildren in Kupang
Related news: Govt committed to bolstering marine, fisheries sectors: VP
Translator: Kornelis K, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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