Ministry Of Agriculture-BNI Collaboration To Improve Food Security

Ministry of Agriculture Doc Photo

JAKARTA - Food security is becoming an increasingly crucial issue in facing economic developments this year.

The collaboration between the government and state-owned enterprises (BUMN) must be closer to encourage increased food production.

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo conveyed that world food insecurity is caused by various issues, especially geopolitics.

Moreover, this happened during the COVID-19 pandemic which had suppressed food production enough to cause high inflation in the last few periods.

Nevertheless, he ensures that the ecosystem between the government and SOEs that are currently being built is collaborative so that it has the opportunity to encourage the resilience of the food agriculture sector.

According to Yasin Limpo, the Ministry of Agriculture together with PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. or BNI (stock code: BBNI) can play a proactive role in encouraging the Alsintan Taxi program (agricultural tools and machines), one of the government's mainstay programs in strengthening food production.

Moreover, BNI has a People's Business Credit (KUR) facility that can be used by farmers to procure and maintain Alsintan.

"I hope that BNI will be at the forefront of improving food security. Moreover, President Joko Widodo has agreed to roll out KUR. I hope that BNI can implement this strategy and concept well," he said.

Yasin Limpo continued, Indonesia is one of the main food suppliers in the world. Programs to develop independent and modern agriculture are crucial.

This year, he continued, his party also continues to encourage the 1000 Alsintan Taxi program for food crop agricultural product centers throughout Indonesia.

"The most basic and great strength of this nation is in the agricultural sector. The farmer's exchange rate (NTP) or the value of farmers' welfare increased compared to their needs, which was 109.29 in March 2022, an increase of 0.42 percent compared to the NTP in February 2022, which was 108.83, " he explained.

Meanwhile, BNI Director of Institutional Relations Sis Apik Wijayanto added, the company is committed to paying special attention to food security.

BNI will be proactive to continue to encourage sustainable financing facilities, especially in the agricultural sector.

Moreover, the government has warned of the threat of an energy and food crisis in this pandemic period.

"BNI will proactively fill existing opportunities with financing, especially in the agricultural sector," concluded Sis.