JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman reported to President Prabowo Subianto that the availability of national food stocks, especially rice, is in very good condition and the export of crude palm oil (CPO) has increased.
This was conveyed by Minister Amran Sulaiman in the Plenary Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Prabowo at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday, March 13.
In his report, the Minister of Agriculture said that the current national rice reserves had reached around four million tons and were expected to increase significantly in the near future. This achievement is even the highest in the history of national rice reserves.
"Today (rice reserves) reached four million tons, the data two days ago was four million tons and possibly next month it will reach five million tons, Mr. President. This is our highest reserve, this is enough for 324 days, until the end of the year we have enough reserves for rice," said Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, quoted by Antara.
He also conveyed that there were a number of positive developments in other strategic commodity sectors, one of which was the increase in CPO exports which had experienced a significant increase. This increase also strengthened the performance of agricultural sector exports as a whole.
"There is interesting news, Mr. President, our CPO, our exports have increased by six million tons. While we need 5.3 million tons for biofuels, so thank God it has increased," he said.
On the other hand, the performance of the agricultural sector is also reflected in its contribution to the national economy. Mentan said that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the agricultural sector reached 5.74 percent, which was the highest achievement in the last 25 years.
"The GDP of the agricultural sector is the highest in 25 years, 5.74 percent of the GDP of the agricultural sector. Then the NTP (Farmer Exchange Rate), the level of farmer welfare, is the highest in 33 years," said Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman.
According to him, this achievement is inseparable from various government policies, including the increase in the Government Purchase Price (HPP) and the reduction in fertilizer prices which also improve the welfare of farmers.
"This is because the policy of the President, HPP was raised and also fertilizer, the price of fertilizer decreased by 20 percent without burdening the Minister of Finance," explained Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman.
Responding to the report, President Prabowo emphasized that the current national food security condition shows a strong foundation. The President also emphasized the importance of continuing to monitor all food commodities, especially protein sources for the community.
"I think this is also something we can believe in, a strong foundation. Whatever happens, our food is safe. Of course, we must pay attention to all commodities, especially the problem of protein. Protein, I think the fastest protein problem is fisheries, inland fisheries, and offshore fisheries, and catch fisheries," said President Prabowo.
With this achievement, the government is optimistic that national food security will be more solid and at the same time strengthen Indonesia's steps towards sustainable food self-sufficiency.
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