Erick Thohir Orders BUMN To Help Farmer's Welfare

Minister of State-Owned Enterprise, Erick Thohir (Photo: Instagram)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir, ordered state-owned companies to make a number of efforts to promote the welfare of farmers' lives. One of them is through the agro-solution program, Makmur from PT Pupuk Indonesia.

The Prosperous Program is the result of the aspirations of farmers in the field. This program was launched in August 2021 in Subang, West Java, which continues to expand to various regions in Indonesia.

"Every time I go to the area at the end of the feed and meet directly with the community, I can immediately catch what programs are right to be implemented in the community, as well as when I meet with farmers," said Erick, quoted from his personal Instagram account @erickthohir, Friday, December 17th.

Furthermore, Erick explained that the existence of farmers is very important for food security which is a vital need. According to Erick, with the welfare of farmers' lives, BUMN has taken one step further and in realizing an independent and sovereign Indonesia.

"The Prosperous Program is a liaison ecosystem between farmers and parties who can provide assistance to increase farmers' productivity and income. Indonesian prosperous farmers are also prosperous," he said.

Therefore, Erick views the Makmur program as a breakthrough made by the government in expanding the farmers' market.

Not only that, but Erick also asked SOEs to cooperate with the private sector in building economic balance in the country.

"We, state-owned enterprises, are trying to become a locomotive. The private sector is not competing. We both don't want to be ivory towers. But we should make sure that our farmers live a better life.

As previously reported, the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, again poked fun at the directors of a number of state-owned companies in the food sector. Erick wants to take sides with the welfare of the farmers. Because, he said, the food that the directors enjoy in their office is the result of the sweat of the farmers.

"Let's start digging our hearts, Mr. President yesterday went to the field, met with the farmers. How long can our farmers not go to class? Even though what is on your desk is the result of the hard work of our brothers and sisters downstairs, we are just sitting with the air conditioner enjoying it rather than what is on the table," said Erick, in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 1.

The consolidation of SOEs in one Food Holding umbrella, said Erick, is not solely for corporate business interests. However, part of maintaining a balance between SOEs and farmers.

Furthermore, Erick admitted that he wanted farmers to be involved as partners in the food supply chain that was worked on by state companies. The goal is to raise the welfare of the farmers.

"Balance, that's what I emphasize to Pak Gani (Director of PTPN III), Mr. Arif (Director of PT RNI) when we consolidate rather than food in BUMN (Holding Food)," he said.