Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono has asked\nthe Indonesian Farmers\u2019 Harmony Association (HKTI) to oversee\nagricultural programmes down to the farmer level to ensure effective\nimplementation, on-target delivery, and improved national farmer\nwelfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cHKTI has a strategic role as the frontline guard in overseeing the\nimplementation of agricultural programmes so that they are truly felt by\nfarmers in the field,\u201d said Deputy Minister Sudaryono, who is also the\nChairman of the National Leadership Council (DPN) of HKTI, during the\n53rd HKTI Anniversary celebration at the Ministry of Agriculture Office\nin Jakarta on Monday.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that HKTI is not merely an organisation but a strategic\npartner of the government with an important role in ensuring policies\ntruly reach farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHKTI must be the eyes, ears, and mouthpiece of the government.\nProgrammes must not stop on paper; they must be felt directly by\nfarmers,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
According to him, strengthening HKTI\u2019s role is increasingly relevant\nfollowing the organisation\u2019s internal consolidation, which is now solid\nwithout any leadership dualism.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, HKTI is united. This is a great strength to mobilise the\nagricultural sector from the centre to the regions,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the government continues to carry out\ncomprehensive improvements from upstream to downstream to maintain\nproduction sustainability. These steps include accelerating irrigation\nrepairs, simplifying fertiliser distribution, and keeping paddy and\nmaize prices profitable for farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ensure fertiliser is available, distribution is simplified, and\nprices remain favourable to farmers,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
In addition, the government is also pushing for increased domestic\nproduction to reduce food import dependency. Several strategic\ncommodities, such as eggs and chicken meat, have even achieved\nself-sufficiency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are optimistic that domestic production will continue to increase\nand import dependency will be further reduced,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Minister stated that all these efforts are ultimately\naimed at strengthening farmers\u2019 position as the main actors in national\nfood security.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo farmer will be left behind. This is a joint effort to ensure\nIndonesian agriculture becomes stronger and sovereign,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Sudaryono mentioned that the Government Rice Reserves\n(CBP) have for the first time exceeded 5 million tonnes. Meanwhile,\nnational rice production in 2025 will increase by 4.07 million tonnes or\n13.29%.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) has risen to 125.35\u2014the\nhighest in the last 34 years. The agricultural sector also recorded\ngrowth of 5.74%, the highest in 25 years.<\/p>\n
According to him, these achievements demonstrate the strengthening of\nthe national agricultural sector, which is inseparable from the joint\nefforts of the government, farmers, and various stakeholders, including\nHKTI as the main connector in the field.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister Sudaryono, or familiarly known as Mas Dar, explained\nthat these achievements are inseparable from the joint efforts between\nthe government, farmers, and HKTI as the main connector in the\nfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is proof of collaborative work. The government is present,\nfarmers work, and HKTI helps oversee. The results are tangible; our food\nstocks are strong,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/deputy-agriculture-minister-asks-hkti-to-oversee-agricultural-programmes-down-to-farmer-level-1777301849", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }