Support Food Security, Moeldoko Encourages Young Farmers In Pasuruan To Produce Superior Rice Seed Products

Presidential Chief of Staff, Dr. Moeldoko, saw the rice seed planting process in Pasuruan district, Saturday 12 August. (Special)

PASURUAN Presidential Chief of Staff, Dr. Moeldoko, visited the rice seed production location in Pasuruan district, East Java, Saturday 12 August.

This visit is to see firsthand the process of producing rice seeds starting from the stages of research, planting, processing, to packaging. This is a support for national food security.

One of the things that caught Moeldoko's attention was that the production of the rice seeds was managed by young farmers. This fact, he said, was the answer to young people's doubts about the future of agriculture.

"Moreover, they (young farmers) are not only grappling in the agricultural sector as workers, but are preparing very good seeds to be served to farmers," said Moeldoko.

"I'm happy and proud that there are still many young people who don't just love, but really know about agriculture," he added.

As soon as he arrived at the rice seed production location located in Sukorejo sub-district, Pasuruan district, Moeldoko immediately went to the fields. He also looked closer at young farmers in carrying out the planting process and maintenance of rice seeds. The planting period is 3 months," said Moeldoko, imitating the answer of one of the young farmers at the location.

Next, Moeldoko went to the processing site. In this place, the yield of rice seeds undergoes a drying process, dormancy or waiting time for seeds, packaging, until they are marketed. To produce superior rice seeds from the research process, planting, processing, to distribution takes 5 months.

This must be understood by the public, how long the process of preparing seeds from planting to distribution is. It's not as easy as imagined. Some of us only know that rice or rice is on the table," he said.

During his visit, Moeldoko gave high appreciation for the efforts of young farmers in Pasuruan district in developing superior rice seeds. He stated that what the young farmers did really determine the fate of farmers and the availability of national food.

Meanwhile, one of the young farmers, Rofiq Zamroni, claims that the rice seeds produced have many advantages. Such as being resistant to pest attacks, high harvest potential, which can reach more than 9 tons, faster harvest time, and good taste too. Of course this will bring down farmers," said Zamroni, who plays a role in the field of research and development.

Food security is still one of the strategic issues in the country. Moreover, Indonesia will face El Nino, namely the phenomenon of sea level temperature heating above normal conditions that occur in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon has the potential to disrupt national food security due to the threat of crop failure, especially in rainshed agricultural land.

The farmer's fate depends heavily on the seeds. Imagine if you (young farmers) prepare seeds for the farmers not good enough, he has to wait about three months, suddenly the harvest fails. So that's one of the ways seeds are so important for the farmers," Moeldoko said.