Coordinating Minister Airlangga: Government Appreciates NU For Mobilizing People's Economy To Make Farmers Prosperous

Airlangga Hartarto

JAKARTA - During the pandemic, President Joko Widodo was very concerned about the people's economic sector. The statement was made by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto who was present to represent the President on the 99th birthday of Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), Friday, March 4, at the Jakabaring Sport Center Palembang.

"The president is very concerned about the people's economy. Alhamdulillah, the price of palm oil is good, the price of rubber is good, the price of coconut is good, and various agricultural commodities. Alhamdulillah, in the last two years, we have been able to be self-sufficient in rice," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga in a press release.

"The government appreciates NU for moving the people's economy. And today the theme is how to make farmers prosperous. Therefore, this Memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between PBNU and the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS)," added the Coordinating Minister. Airlangga.

In the palm oil fund program, a palm replanting program has been prepared in which the Government provides support for 180,000 hectares this year with assistance of 30 million rupiah per hectare, which means an increase from the previous 25 million rupiah per hectare. Coordinating Minister Airlangga who also serves as Chairman of the BPDPKS Steering Committee said that the Government will continue to oversee until the program is realized.

"With the MoU, PBNU will disseminate information to planters and oil palm farmers. And of course this will be done throughout Indonesia," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga on the occasion also added that in the future the Government hopes that the people's economy can continue to be encouraged. In this case, NU is expected to be able to assist the Government in socializing as well as encouraging NU citizens to help food security. These efforts can be realized by preparing the planting of various products ranging from agriculture, horticulture, and cooperation in planting rice, corn, soybeans, which are people's commodities.

"This is a directive from President Joko Widodo for the Ministry to cooperate with community organizations such as PBNU. And of course this can be replicated with other products, including in the agricultural sector, where prototypes can be made with farmers in NU," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

On the occasion, Coordinating Minister Airlangga also explained that the Government had extended the additional KUR interest subsidy by 3% from the end of June 2022 to the end of December 2022. In addition, the Government also provided a grace period of 5 years. With this support, the planters pay installments after their oil palm plantations have matured. "The government has also prepared KUR, where this KUR can be distributed to fostered MSMEs in the NU big family," concluded Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

Also present on the occasion, the Minister of Industry, Leaders and Members of the Indonesian Parliament, Rois 'Aam Syuriah Nahdlatul Ulama KH. Miftachul Akhyar and members of the PBNU Syuriah board, General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf, Deputy Chairperson of PBNU KH. Nusron Wahid, and the board of Tanfidziyah PBNU, Governor of South Sumatra, Forkopimda of South Sumatra Province, Chairman of DPRD South Sumatra, Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, President Director of PLN, President Director of BPDPKS, representatives of the Association of Palm Oil Entrepreneurs.