Minister Of Agriculture Amran Asks Ministry Of ATR/BPN To Protect 7.4 Million Rice Fields In Indonesia

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman hopes that the ranks of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) will protect 7.4 million rice fields throughout Indonesia by providing legal legality.

"In the future, I invite you to take strategic steps. I hope that the Minister (Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono) will give a certificate to 7.4 million hectares of Indonesian rice fields. Second, I leave a certificate to our brothers who live in the forest (LMDH)," Amran said while giving directions at the ATR/BPN National Coordination Meeting in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Thursday, March 7.

Amran conveyed that he protected rice fields throughout Indonesia with legal legality, including by certificates of land in the center area and those who are members of the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH).

Amran said that granting certificates can support joint efforts in realizing self-sufficiency. Especially now that Indonesia and countries in the world are facing extreme weather, El Nino is long so that it has a direct impact on productivity.

"Now there is a situation in El Nino, where there is a food and energy crisis in the world and Indonesia. We must anticipate together because today's El Nino is El Nino the most severe gorilla," he said.

Amran said that the agricultural sector in the era of President Joko Widodo was the foundation for national economic growth. It is noted that Indonesia has succeeded in achieving self-sufficiency in its three years of government since 2017.

"Agriculture in the era of Mr. President Jokowi was self-sufficient, and that was our best achievement during independence. Therefore, once again, I hope that the millions of hectares of land that we have built will get a certificate quickly," he said.

Meanwhile, ATR/BPN Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono confirmed that he would complete land certification throughout Indonesia.

Agus, who is usually called AHY, also said that he had coordinated with the authorities to deal with land mafias that were detrimental to the state and people of Indonesia.

"Then we also continue to mitigate and prevent land disputes in order to build a better economy. Therefore, let's show our best performance to the nation and people," said AHY.