Airlangga Hartarto: Government Prepares IDR 104.2 Trillion For Food Security

Screenshot of Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in the Kick Off of the 2023 National Food Inflation Control Movement (GNPIP) monitored in Jakarta, Sunday, March 5. (Photo: ANTARA)

Jakarta-Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said he had allocated a food security budget of IDR 104.2 trillion in 2022 with a focus on strengthening the agricultural sector and maintaining food reserves.

Airlangga said the budget would be distributed to ministries and institutions, non-ministerial agencies, and transfers to the regions.

"Strengthening the agricultural sector, among others, is carried out by developing agricultural cultivation, developing infrastructure including storage, subsidies for fertilizers, and providing low credit interest," Airlangga said in the Kick Off of the 2023 National Food Inflation Control Movement (GNPIP) reported by ANTARA, Jakarta, Sunday, March 5.

The details for ministries and institutions, worth Rp. 15.3 trillion in food security budgets will be distributed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rp. 6.8 trillion to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Rp. 23.9 trillion to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), and Rp. 100 billion to the National Food Agency.

The remaining Rp25.3 trillion is for the fertilizer subsidy budget, Rp1.8 trillion for government rice reserves, and Rp2.6 trillion for other food price stabilization programs.

Through transfers to the regions, the government will distribute Rp8.6 trillion of physical special allocation funds (DAK), Rp0.3 trillion non-physical DAK, and Rp13.6 trillion of village funds.

The government also distributed People's Business Credit (KUR) for agricultural tools and machinery ranging from IDR 500 million to IDR 200 billion with an interest rate of 3 percent.

He also mentioned that with the conditions of this rainy season, the farmer's challenge is drying, and of course KUR for the procurement of agricultural equipment and machinery can be used.

Meanwhile, to maintain people's purchasing power, the government will also distribute aid to recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKJ) in the form of eggs and chicken meat for 3 months starting in March, April, and May 2023.

"This is being regulated, this assistance will be provided in three months, especially for desils that get PKH and non-cash food assistance," he said.