Kadin Kaltim Wants To Participate In Strengthening IKN Food Security

JAKARTA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim) recommends the management of rice fields in North Penajam Paser Regency (PPU) in an effort to support the food security program in the capital city of Nusantara (IKN).

"The important thing from Kadin is that we want the government's involvement in food security for East Kalimantan," said Head of East Kalimantan Chamber of Commerce and Forestry, Donna Faroek, quoting ANtara.

He said that currently East Kalimantan is not yet independent in food security, because food supplies still have to be imported from Java and Sulawesi.

Donna is pushing for food security in East Kalimantan to respond to population growth which is expected to accelerate along with development at IKN.

"Currently there are only 23 thousand workers, there will be ASN, added the TNI-Polri, this must be considered how to serve their food," he said.

Kadin Kaltim has coordinated with the IKN Authority to offer rice fields in Penajam Paser Utara, which have yet to be followed up.

"According to data from the Central Statistics Agency, there are around 13,000 hectares that currently have no touch from the government. We hope that there will be an IKN because North Penajam Paser is directly slice with IKN, I hope it can be followed up," he said.

Donna said that the use of rice fields requires great collaboration, from the Ministry of PUPR for irrigation needs, the Ministry of Agriculture for the supply of seeds and fertilizers, as well as the Regency Government as the land owner, as well as the local community.

"Actually, they are waiting for those who come in to help them. Currently, the government from the Provincial Government and the Regency Government have not been maximal in helping farmers in Babulu Laut in PPU," he said.