Inviting People to Plant Their Own Vegetables, Jokowi: I Grow Chilies, Mustard Greens Behind the House

President Jokowi inspects the 'Food Estate' land in Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Thursday 9 July 2020. (ANTARA-Hafidz M A)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo invites people to grow chilies, tomatoes and other vegetables independently in their respective yards.

"Chili peppers and tomatoes are grown by themselves. They are easy to grow at home. From the past, the price of chili peppers has fluctuated due to seasonality," said Jokowi during a dialogue with the community at the Serang Bulog Warehouse, Drangong, Serang City, Banten, Monday, January 8, reported by Antara.

Jokowi said that growing vegetables independently could be a food security strategy for residents amid rising commodity prices.

The head of state also said that he had planted chilies, tomatoes, basil and mustard greens independently in his yard.

"You can also grow chilies in pots, you can also grow chilies behind the house. I grow chilies behind the house, I grow my own chilies. There are lots of them, not just chilies, basil, there are green mustard greens, I grow them myself," he said.

According to Jokowi, by planting independently, people do not feel worried when there is an increase in the price of chili commodities and other vegetables.

"If there is an increase in anything, relax. Chili (price) has increased, so go ahead, there are also chilies behind the house, just take them," he said.

President Jokowi made a working visit to Banten, including to distribute food aid from government rice reserves at Dudang Bulog Serang, Drangong, Serang City, Banten.