Accompanying Jokowi to See the Great Harvest, Ganjar Pranowo: Indonesia Must Become the World's Rice Barn

Ganjar Pranowo accompanied President Jokowi, Defense Minister Prabowo and other officials inspected the main harvest. (IST)

KEBUMEN - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to see the rice harvest in Lajer Village, Ambal District, Kebumen Regency, Thursday, March 9. The rice harvest in Kebumen started the main harvest of one million hectares of rice land in Indonesia. Ganjar firmly supports Indonesia in becoming the world's food barn.

"There were many things that were conveyed by the President. He was very detailed to see the yields, especially rice including the price", said Ganjar after the activity which was attended by Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, as well as the National Food Agency.

Farmers Profit Scheme

Ganjar Pranowo said that the visit also discussed the proposed price scheme for harvested rice or dry unhusked rice. The scheme is expected to benefit farmers.

"Earlier we talked about the most profitable scheme for farmers at what price. Then there was one from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Defense also came from the Food Agency", he said.

Jokowi, Prabowo and Ganjar Pranowo interact with farmers. (IST)

In addition to the rice harvest price scheme, Ganjar also supports simulations to determine rice-to-rice prices. This suggestion was conveyed by the Food Agency so that prices in the market, particularly for rice, would not soar.

"The Food Agency also said to make a simulation. This simulation will later be used to determine the actual price at the farmer's level so that people don't find it difficult to buy the price of their rice", explained Ganjar.

According to Ganjar, the scheme and simulation can support Indonesia's dream of becoming a world food barn. This was revealed by Ganjar in a photo upload on social media about the harvest review activity in Kebumen. "Indonesia is the world's food barn. Ready", he wrote.

President Jokowi said that previously he received a report that the price of harvested dry unhusked rice (GKP) in Kebumen was quite low, around IDR 4,200. The government is calculating the ideal price for harvested dry grain at the farmer level. After the calculation is complete, the ideal price will be announced to the public.

"The government is calculating and will soon be announced by the food agency how much the GKP should be", he said.

In addition, President Jokowi also emphasized that the government will continue to strive to improve the welfare of farmers in Indonesia. He stressed the importance of developing modern and sustainable agriculture to produce better agricultural production.

"We hope that the price of unhusked rice from farmers is reasonable, the price of rice from traders is reasonable and the purchase price of rice from the community is also reasonable", he said.

While accompanying the President, Ganjar Pranowo also interacted with farmers. He was also seen discussing with Jokowi, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Defence.

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo added that the President's visit was a form of the government's concern for farmers. Specifically to improve the welfare of farmers as well as start the main harvest of one million hectares of rice land.

"From my data, it is quite large. Our production in February was 6.28 million tons of dry milled unhulled rice and more than three million tons of rice", he said.