Entering The Rainy Season, Jokowi Reminds Farmers In Pekalongan To Start Planting Rice

President Joko Widodo reviewed rice planting and absorbed the aspirations of farmers in Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java, on Wednesday (13/12/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo encouraged farmers, especially in Pekalongan, Central Java, to start planting rice because the rainy season had arrived. This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in his statement after reviewing rice planting and absorbing the aspirations of farmers in Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java Province, Wednesday. "Because rain has started in many provinces, we want to encourage farmers to start planting rice immediately, because yesterday's time was low because El Nino was chasing for planting, planting, planting, because we hope that later in March or April we will start harvesting," said Jokowi, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 13. "On the same occasion, the Head of State said that until now the farmers have said that fertilizer affairs in their area are still in a safe condition. However, the President emphasized that the Minister of Agriculture is also ready to solve the problem of scarcity of fertilizers in the event. I ask farmers that the current fertilizer affairs are not a safe problem, but if later you don't know January all the fertilizers are clean, but Mr. Mentan has agreed to solve everything," " he said. The president also explained that the government has also simplified the procedure for farmers who need subsidized fertilizers without having to use a farmer card, but could use a Identity Card (KTP). According to the President, this applies in a number of certain areas.' The former subsidy fertilizer must use a farm card, now use an ID card can, simplify it, in certain places, not all of them. Those who don't have a farm card can use an ID card while we fix its tanny card, "he said. But the President on the opportunity to meet the Field Agricultural and babinsa processors throughout Central Java reminded that only those who have ID cards read the work of farmers who can get subsidized fertilizers. In addition, President Jokowi also emphasized that the target for harvesting in the country must increase considering that previously it had decreased. It should go up, because yesterday we had to go up because of El Nino,' he said.

Regarding the national rice reserves, the President said that the rice stock in Bulog was still in the safe category. Stok in Bulog was still last morning I checked 1.4 million tons," he explained.Turut accompanies the President, namely the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, Acting Governor of Central Java Nana Sudjana, and Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.