The Prosecutor's Office Collaborates With The Ministry Of Villages And Local Governments, Realizing Food Self-Sufficiency In Banten

Collaborating with the Ministry of Villages and the Regional Government, the Prosecutor's Office encourages Banten to become a national food barn through the Village Guard Prosecutor program. (IST)

TANGERANG - The Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Indonesia through the Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence (Jamintel), Prof. Dr. Reda Manthovanani, officially launched a food security strengthening program entitled Village Guard Prosecutor in Sarakan Village, Sepatan, Tangerang Regency. This program was developed from its initial function as a village fund supervisor, now expanded to encourage national food self-sufficiency.

The launch event was held in conjunction with the planting of shallots and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Head of the District Attorney's Office (Kajari) and four regents from Banten Province: Tangerang Regent, Serang Regent, Pandeglang Regent, and Lebak Regent. Also present were PDTT Village Minister Yandri Susanto, Banten Governor Andra Soni, as well as representatives from Telkom University, PT Pupuk Indonesia, and PASKOMNAS.

Banten Province Becomes A National Food Security Project Pilot

Jamintel Reda Manthovani stated that Banten Province was chosen as a food security pilot project due to emotional ties and strategic considerations. He revealed the fact that only 5 percent of vegetable supplies at Tanah Tinggi Main Market, Tangerang came from Banten. Through this program, it is hoped that Banten's contribution can increase to 20 percent.

"This program will continue to be developed to other provinces such as West Java, Central Java, and East Java. We want to create an integrated planting pattern throughout Indonesia that can strengthen the economy of farmers and national food self-sufficiency," said Reda.

Support From Central And Regional Governments

PDTT Village Minister Yandri Susanto expressed his support for this program. He emphasized that the synergy between digital technology, legal assistance, and village agricultural innovation is the key in creating productive and independent villages.

"Through the program of the Village Guard Prosecutor, we want to make the village the main actor in national economic development. This is also in line with the vision of Asta Cita President Elected Prabowo Subianto, especially in strengthening national food security," said Yandri.

Banten Governor Andra Soni also appreciated the program, and said that even though rice production in Banten had a surplus of 200 thousand tons, the vegetable contribution was still low. We are optimistic, through this program, Banten can increase vegetable production and become a province that is independent of food," he said.

Great Opportunities For Local Farmers

President Director of PASKOMNAS Indonesia, Hartono Wignyopranoto, added that the market opportunity for local vegetables is very large. Currently, the Tanah Tinggi Main Market markets market around 3,000 tons of vegetables per day, but most of them still come from outside Banten.

"This is a golden opportunity for farmers in Banten. We will encourage products such as chilies and onions to be supplied from local, not from outside the province," Hartono said.