Suroto, A Chicken Farmer In Blitar Who Was Viral For Spreading Posters, Sent By Jokowi 2 Trucks Of Dry Pill Corn

President Joko Widodo's provision of corn for chicken feed for chicken farmers in Blitar, East Java, Monday, September 20 (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo sent corn assistance to Suroto, a chicken farmer from Blitar Regency, East Java, whose action had gone viral by unfurling a poster about the high price of cheap corn and eggs, during President Jokowi's visit to Blitar, early September 2021.

"The assistance provided was in two trucks, 20 tons of dry shelled corn. The quality is also good grade, international standards", said Suroto, a chicken farmer, from Suruhwadang Village, Kademangan District, Blitar Regency, Monday.

He said he was happy and grateful for the assistance provided by the President. He is very happy because the President appreciates the aspirations of small farmers like himself.

"Mr. President's attention and appreciation are so fast. As soon as the instructions to send corn have been carried out. The President immediately sent his personal secretary to meet me and provide this free assistance", he said.

Apart from being used alone, some of the corn from the President's assistance will also be given to his neighbors and small farmers.

"I take enough of this, I give the rest to the farmers in my village whose population is small. Either one sack, two sacks, the main thing is to share blessings", he said.

He admitted, currently still raising chickens. In the past, he could have around 8 thousand laying hens, now only about 4 thousand chickens and about 2 thousand are still small or doc.

According to him, the policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and PPKM made it very difficult for small farmers like himself. The pandemic has affected his business because the selling price of eggs is getting cheaper, while the feed is expensive.

He is also grateful for this help. In the future, he hopes that the price of feed will be by the regulations from the Ministry of Trade, which is IDR 4,500 per kilogram. Currently, the price of corn is around IDR 6 thousand per kilogram.

The provision of corn assistance was handed over directly by the presidential staff to Suroto, in Suruhwadang Village, Kademangan District, Blitar Regency. After the handover ceremony, the group also immediately left the location.

Previously, President Jokowi invited representatives of chicken farmers from Blitar, Central Java, and Bogor. Suroto, a chicken farmer from Blitar Regency, was also present, whose actions went viral when the President came to Blitar. The farmers hope that the government will help farmers, stabilize the price of feed, especially corn, according to the price set by the Ministry of Trade, which is IDR 4,500 per kilogram.