Moeldoko: Sorghum Can Be A Solution To Overcome Extreme Poverty And Stunting

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff Dr. Moeldoko continues to be committed to tackling extreme poverty and stunting in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province through the development of sorghum as an alternative food with high economic value and as an alternative solution to overcome stunting. Therefore, Moeldoko through the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) also continues to actively encourage research development programs and sorghum studies initiated by the academic community.

“What can drive extreme poverty and stunting is sorghum. But we still need to convince the public that this sorghum can be developed for the food industry and many other industries. I hope that sorghum cultivation will be strengthened so that it becomes a public voice that invites people to plant and develop the sorghum ecosystem", said Moeldoko.

He conveyed this when he received an audience from the Satya Wacana Christian College Foundation and the Wira Wacana Christian University Sumba, at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 8.

Wira Wacana Sumba Christian University, located in East Sumba, NTT, is currently planning to develop a research and development program on sorghum on its campus. The university, which was only established in 2016 ago, now has 10 study programs with 4,800 students.

Wira Wacana Christian University Sumba's initiative to develop a research and study center for sorghum stems from concerns over extreme poverty and the high prevalence of stunting in NTT.

One of the causes of extreme poverty in NTT is resource management which is still not optimal. However, in fact, the dry condition of NTT's soil with areas that have little rainfall per year can become a fertile land for sorghum plants.

If used widely, the development of sorghum will not only provide an alternative national food but also absorb labor and provide economic income for the region.

“From 1 hectare of land can produce 3-5 tons of sorghum. One hectare of sorghum land is projected to generate IDR 12 million. Sorghum cultivation is easy because the fertilizer is also not much. This can lift the local economy tremendously", added Moeldoko.

The Chancellor of the Wira Wacana Christian University Sumba, Maklon Felipus Killa, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Satya Wacana Christian Higher Education Foundation, Ir. Fence Emanuel Lase, also hopes that through partnerships with business entities in the field of sorghum, universities can develop a sorghum study center that is typical of Sumba.

“We are grateful for the attention of Mr. Moeldoko and KSP who are really committed to building NTT. We understand very well that one of the important issues today is the issue of food and energy. So we will continue to strive to develop courses that lead to improving people's welfare", said Maklon.