JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Unity Association (HKTI), Bachtiar Utomo, emphasized that abundant rice stocks prove that the direction of food self-sufficiency is getting stronger.
This was emphasized by Bachtiar in response to various criticisms that doubted that the achievement of rice self-sufficiency was not in line with the actual conditions in the field. Including criticism from Feri Amsari, which was considered not to reflect the actual facts of the national agricultural sector.
According to Bachtiar, President Prabowo Subianto's direct visit with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono to a number of Perum Bulog warehouses is a concrete proof of the national food situation.
"The government does not work based on assumptions. The facts on the ground show that the government's rice reserves are in very strong condition. The warehouses are optimally filled and the distribution is well monitored," Bachtiar told reporters, Jakarta, Sunday, April 19.
Bachtiar emphasized that the results of direct monitoring showed that the national rice stock was at a high level, even referred to as one of the largest in history. This condition reflects the country's readiness to maintain the stability of supply and prices.
In addition, Bachtiar highlighted the significant increase in national production. In the past year, rice production has experienced a significant spike, driven by the expansion of planting areas, improvements in irrigation infrastructure, and policies that are more in favor of farmers.
"This is not just a number on paper. Production has increased significantly, the harvest has increased, and farmers feel the direct impact," he said.
Furthermore, Bachtiar stated that the combination of abundant stocks and increasing production is a strong indicator that Indonesia is on the right track towards rice self-sufficiency.
"If the stock is full and production increases, then the direction of self-sufficiency is no longer a discourse, but a process that is underway and is getting closer to the target," he said.
Regarding the criticism made by Feri Amsari, Bachtiar considered that the statement was not only wrong, but also had the potential to cause confusion among farmers.
"Statements that are not based on field data actually trigger unrest. Many farmers feel that what they achieve today seems to be ignored. This is what then triggers protests," he said.
He also emphasized that farmers are the parties who understand the real conditions of production. Therefore, their voices and experiences must be the main reference in assessing the achievements of the national food sector.
HKTI, continued Bachtiar, will continue to support the government's steps in strengthening food security, including ensuring synergy between production at the farmer level and the management of national reserves runs optimally.
"What we need now is to maintain momentum, not to build a narrative that does not correspond to reality. The facts are clear: strong stocks, increased harvests, and self-sufficiency are becoming more real," he concluded.
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