Airlangga Hartarto: Global Food Crisis Threats Must Be Overcome With Collaboration

The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, emphasized the importance of overcoming the threat of a global food crisis expressed by the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He stated that all parties need to take immediate action by prioritizing collaboration.

"The threat of a global food crisis due to political tensions in various countries and climate change requires active participation from all parties to increase agricultural sector production," said Airlangga Hartarto in Padang, Saturday, June 10.

The statement was made by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto when giving a speech on behalf of the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening of the XVI Farmers Penas at the Sutan Sjahrir Airport, Padang City, West Sumatra, which took place from June 10 to 15, 2023.

To meet domestic food needs, increasing agricultural production is a must. In addition, it is also important to introduce various food products to other countries as export commodities.

Airlangga explained that the government has carried out various efforts in recent years, such as the development of supporting infrastructure in the agricultural sector, including the construction of dams that function as water sources.

In addition, the government is also focused on developing transportation facilities to reduce logistics costs in the agricultural sector, as well as encouraging the use of superior commodities that are adaptive to climate change and implement smart agriculture.

In addition to infrastructure efforts, the government also provides agricultural tools and machinery assistance (alsintan) and implements the People's Business Credit Program (KUR) through banks that are members of Himbara for farmers throughout Indonesia.

"The KUR budget for the agricultural sector this year reached Rp450 trillion," said the chairman of the Golkar Party.

With this large budget allocation, Airlangga asked the Ministry of Agriculture to encourage local governments, farmer groups, farmers, and fishermen to use the KUR to support the agricultural sector in Indonesia.