TNI Now Has a New Task: Planting Corn to Produce Soybeans

JAKARTA - In addition to carrying out national defense duties, soldiers of the Indonesian National Army (TNI), now have a new assignment in the agricultural and livestock sectors.

Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced the distribution of tasks in a meeting with the DPR Commission I, Tuesday, May 19.

In the scheme, the Army was tasked with developing corn, rice, and field crops. Meanwhile, the Navy was tasked with developing soybean production.

"We have divided the tasks. The Army's task is to grow corn and rice in addition to other crops," said Sjafrie.

In addition, the government is also building a Territorial Development Battalion (TP) which will later have an agricultural company and a livestock company.

According to Sjafrie, the assignment of the Indonesian Navy to the soybean sector was carried out because Indonesia is still dependent on imports of this commodity.

He claimed that the quality of soybean seeds developed by TNI AL soldiers had improved after going through two harvest seasons.

"The soybeans produced are no longer quality animal feed," he said.

In the future, the production of soybeans for the Indonesian Navy will be strengthened through cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture with the target of reducing import dependence.

"We are pursuing this target so that we can become a soybean producer to support food self-sufficiency, especially to prevent imports," said Sjafrie.

However, Sjafrie has not detailed the number of soldiers who will be involved in the program or the implementation mechanism in the midst of regular military duties.