Subang, West Java (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in a ceremony held at a paddy field in Subang, on Friday, awarded the Adhikarya Pangan Nusantara medal to eight governors for their contribution in realizing food security in Indonesia.

Among the recipients of the awards were West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, West Nusa Tenggara Governor M. Zainul Majdi, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno, North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh, West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis M.H., East Java Governor Soekarwo, and Jambi Governor Hasan Basri Agus.

During the ceremony, the president emphasized the importance of meeting the governments target of achieving greater food self-sufficiency in the next three years.

Jokowi pointed out that although Indonesia was known for its rich natural rsources, yet it had to import food products, including rice, which is the main staple item of the people.

Apart from presenting awards to the eight governors, Jokowi also gave medals to ten district heads and ten chiefs of villages for their contribution in the food security sector.

Acting Chief of Food Security Agency Winny Dian Wibawa stated that the award was meant to motivate state apparatuses and the people to improve the food security sector in Indonesia.

Several academicians, state apparatuses, and NGOs were part of the jury team that finalized the list of awardees. Out of the 230 potential recipients, 94 were selected as the recipients of the medal for their contribution to the food security sector.

(Reporting GNC Aryani/Translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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