Meeting With Commission IV Of The DPR, Ministry Of Agriculture Submissioned Budgets For Food Estate Special Allocation Funds Of IDR 2.3 Trillion In 2023

Screenshot of the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo during a working meeting with Commission IV of the DPR RI. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a physical special allocation fund (DAK) budget of IDR 2.3 trillion in 2023 for the development of the Food Estate program and strengthening the food production center area.

"The physical DAK activities in agriculture include the first thematic DAK for the development of the Food Estate with an indicative ceiling of IDR 650 billion spread across 48 regencies and cities," said Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo during a working meeting with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, quoted by Antara, Thursday, September 8.

Meanwhile, DAK to strengthen the food production center area is budgeted with an indicative ceiling of Rp1.65 trillion. Each of these budgets will be used for agriculture, irrigation development, road infrastructure, forestry, and marine and fishery cultivation.

The physical DAK in the agricultural sector is intended to strengthen an integrated upstream-downstream corporate-based food production area in order to strengthen food security and national economic recovery. In addition, to strengthen regional capacity in strengthening corporate-based food production areas.

The government through the Ministry of Agriculture has also allocated a ceiling of Rp. 300 billion for non-physical DAK in the 2023 fiscal year. The budget will be used for the development of the Lestari Food Cremation program, agricultural operational costs (BPP) for agricultural extension workers, and the operational costs of puskeswans for the purchase of medicines and vaccines.

"Unphysical non-physical DAK for food and agricultural security in 2023 will be carried out in 1,255 community groups in 337 stunting districts who see increased food security at the household level," said Minister Syahrul.

Furthermore, 5,782 BPP in 508 regencies-cities submitted reports of agricultural information data, and 933 puskeswan units in 417 regencies-cities assigned to improve animal health services in existing work units.

The Ministry of Agriculture's budget ceiling for 2023 is IDR 15.42 trillion. Minister of Agriculture Syahrul said the budget would focus on four agricultural work programs.

Namely the quality food access availability and consumption program, added value programs and industrial competitiveness, education programs and vocational training, as well as management support programs.