Fadli Zon Affirms The Momentum Of HKTI National Conference For Food Self-Sufficiency And Prosperous Farmers

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, who is also the General Chair of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI), opened the HKTI X National Farmers and Consultative Congress (Munas) at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Jakarta, Tuesday, June 24. In his speech, Fadli emphasized that this momentum is very strategic to strengthen food self-sufficiency commitments and fight for the welfare of farmers.

"HKTI is home to millions of farmers. It is 52 years old and continues to consistently become a partner for farmers and the government. Through this National Conference, we will strengthen steps towards sustainable food self-sufficiency," said Fadli in a statement received by VOI Wednesday, June 25.

The National Conference series includes the main forum, the Farmers' Congress, Tamah Friendly, Fest Farmers, and Business Matching. This forum is scheduled to present the President of the Republic of Indonesia and ministers in agriculture, food and rural areas. Through Tani Fest and Business Matching, HKTI opens access to farmers to cooperatives, the business world, to international markets.

Fadli appreciated the performance of HKTI management for the 2020-2025 period who had worked hard in the midst of the challenges of the agricultural sector. According to him, this is the right time to consolidate strength towards big ideals.

He also mentioned President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to agriculture. "President Prabowo has led the HKTI for a decade and is now the Board of Trustees. This is clear evidence that agriculture is a national priority," said Fadli.

In the last eight months, he continued, the government's attention to the agricultural sector has increased dramatically. Fadli mentioned a number of strategic policies: the elimination of farmers' old debts, the increase in the Government Purchase Price (HPP) of unhulled rice to Rp6,500/kg, the reformulation of fertilizer subsidies, to the launch of the MBG (Makmur, Sovereign, Gotong Royong) program to increase productivity.

However, according to Fadli, one thing that is no less important is the reunification of HKTI. After almost 15 years of disentanglement, National Conference X will be an event for organizational reconciliation. HKTI under Moeldoko is scheduled to join. This is a great opportunity to unite the energy and agenda of the farmers' struggle," he said, greeted by more than 300 participants from 35 provinces.

He hopes that in the future HKTI will be led by solid figures who are able to bring organizations to jump further. "Three big momentums" government commitments, HKTI unification, and strong new leaders "We must take advantage of to advance agriculture, eradicate stunting, and accelerate national food self-sufficiency," he said.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman who was also present said HKTI must fully support President Prabowo's policies, including self-sufficiency programs, industrialization, free nutritious food, and bioenergy resilience. "We want Indonesia to become a world food barn for Indonesia Gold 2045," he said.

The event was also attended by Minister of VAT Rahmat Pambudi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, Deputy Minister of Village Ahmad Riza Patria, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi, as well as representatives of the DPR, DPD, directors of BUMN, and administrators of DPD HKTI throughout Indonesia.

The X HKTI National Conference is targeted to produce concrete recommendations and implementation strategies towards sustainable food self-sufficiency.