Bobby Nasution Hopes Red Cooking Oil Will Be The Solution To Overcoming Stunting In Medan

Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution (second right) with Coordinating Minister for SMEs Teten Masduki (second left) and North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi (right) in Medan, Thursday (9/6/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Medan City)

JAKARTA - Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution hopes that red cooking oil, which is rich in nutrients, can be a solution in overcoming stunting in this area.

"Based on research, red cooking oil has a lot of nutrients, especially vitamin A to overcome stunting. Of course this is beneficial for the community, because we are currently focusing on dealing with stunting," he said in Medan, North Sumatra, as reported by Antara, Thursday, June 9.

This was said by Bobby Nasutuin after accompanying the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki and the Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi in reviewing red cooking oil production at the Palm Oil Research Center (PPKS) Medan.

He said the Medan City Government is currently concentrating on handling and reducing stunting rates for children under five years old in this area.

Therefore, the innovation made by PPKS Medan by producing red cooking oil from palm oil is useful in alleviating the problem of stunting in the city of Medan.

The latest data from the Medan City Health Service stated that the stunting rate in the weighing month of February 2022 was 555 children under five in the city of Medan.

"We appreciate and thank PPKS Medan for innovating in presenting this red cooking oil production," said Bobby Nasution.

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki admitted that his party was here to see firsthand the red cooking oil production process because it must continue to be developed.

"There are three benefits of developing red cooking oil. In addition to supplying cooking oil needs, improving the welfare of the community, especially MSME actors, and no less important being able to overcome stunting," he said.

He promised to disburse revolving assistance to smallholder oil palm farmers, cooperatives and MSMEs who are expected to develop production and build a red cooking oil factory in North Sumatra.

"I have seen firsthand the process of producing red cooking oil. After this, of course, we will provide assistance so that production can develop and the community will immediately feel the benefits," said Minister Teten.