BNPB Accelerates Distribution Of Stimulant Assistance For Farmers Failed To Harvest

President Jokowi and the Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto handed over stimulant assistance to farmers who failed to harvest (puso) due to the flood at Gor Bung Karno, Purwodadi, Central Java, Tuesday (23/1). (ANTARA/HO-BNPB)

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. Suharyanto stated that his party was accelerating the distribution of stimulant aid for farmers who failed to harvest due to flooding.

In his report to President Jokowi, Suharyanto ensured that stimulant assistance for farmers would be distributed through the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara).

He said the beneficiaries were not charged or any deductions and the disbursement mechanism was designed as simply as possible based on community data set by the regent/mayor.

Nevertheless, he continued, the aspect of accountability remains put forward by involving supervision and assistance from BPKP and regional inspectorates.

"It is certain that the disbursement of this aid will be carried out as simply as possible. The process is easy and fast," said Suharyanto as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 23.

Through the handover of this stimulant aid, the Head of BNPB hopes to become a hope and encouragement for farmers to return to the fields in the first planting period earlier this year.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked all aid recipients to immediately plant, because earlier this year was the right time for planting rice. Besides that, the price of unhulled rice is also high so it can provide more benefits for farmers.

"This stimulant assistance from the President will of course be a hope and encouragement for the community to return to the fields in the first planting period earlier this year," said Suharyanto.

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Widodo handed over stimulant assistance to farmers who failed to harvest (puso) due to the flood disaster at Bung Karno Sports Hall, Purwodadi City, Grobogan Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (23/1).

This stimulant assistance was given to 1,360 farmers representing the five affected districts/cities, namely Grobogan, Jepara, Demak, Pati, and Kudus.

The amount of stimulant assistance to be received is the same as that previously handed over to farmer representatives in Pekalongan, Central Java, which is Rp. 8,000,000/hectare for each farmer.

Through this assistance, President Jokowi hopes that the aid money can be received by farmers soon so that farmers can immediately grow rice.