Megawati's Message On Farmer's Day: Land Must Be Maintained, Farmers' Organizations Are Strengthened

Secretary General of the PDI-P DPP Hasto Kristiyanto commemorates Tani Day, in Kedungwaringin Village, Bekasi Regency, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (Ist)

Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto brought a message from his general chairman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who warned that agricultural land should not be converted into industrial areas carelessly. City food should not be threatened because of the transfer of function.

Hal ini disampaikan Hasto bersama Ketua DPP PDIP yang juga anggota Komisi IV DPR Rokhmin Dahriri berdialog dengan kelompok petani di Desa Kedungwaringin, Kabupaten Bekasi, Selasa, 23 September. Acara ini dalam rangka memperingati Hari Tani.

"If agricultural land is lost, city food is threatened. Mrs. Megawati's direction is clear, fertile land must be maintained," said Hasto in a written statement, Wednesday, September 24.

Hasto also talked about strengthening farmer organizations. The hope is that every problem related to food can be resolved together in one place.

"We must strengthen the farmer organization so that anyone who wants to cut the fertilizer, seeds, diesel, or water, is faced together because the law must be enforced. Hopefully this Farmer's Day will raise our spirit to help farmers," he said.

Then, Hasto mentioned land ownership for farmers. "If the land is not enough, the central, regional and DPR governments must be present," he said.

"Redistribution of state land must be carried out so that cultivators have their own land, not just farm laborers or industrial land cultivators," continued Hasto.

Likewise, Rokhmin said that agricultural affairs, especially regarding the welfare of farmers, must be a concern for all stakeholders.

Greetings from Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri to the big family of farmers. Bung Karno used to remind that this food died in the country. If farmers are not prosperous, the nation could fail," he said.

On that occasion, a number of farmers had voiced their wishes and problems. Ani, for example, asked that the price of rice be maintained at least Rp. 12 thousand per liter to be affordable.

Meanwhile, the Kramat Kaya II Farmers Group highlighted the damage to the floodgates. Farmers named Asep from Sukawerta Village also complain that waterways that have not been normalized often cause crop failure.

Responding to all the aspirations of the farmer, Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara who was present at the event emphasized his commitment to making Bekasi Regency a sustainable food barn. He said the regional regulation on the protection of agricultural land had been prepared.

"We will regulate illegal buildings for river normalization. In the RPJMD, agriculture is a priority, including the allocation of social security for farmers' families," he said.

On that occasion, Hasto received a hoe symbol from a farmer representative. Meanwhile, Ade Kuswara who is also the Chair of the Bekasi Regency PDIP DPC received a machete.