Central Java Governor highlights achievements amid global uncertainty
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has highlighted a range of positive achievements in the province’s development, spanning food, the economy, education and health, amid uncertain global conditions and fiscal pressures.
“Activities that directly touch the community are a priority,” he said during the 81st Anniversary Ceremony of Central Java Province at Alun-alun Kidul, Boyolali Regency, on Wednesday.
In 2025, Central Java’s rice production reached approximately 9.39 million tonnes, while up to July 2026, milled dry grain production had reached 6.74 million tonnes.
“If our farmers work hard, then those of us entrusted with leading Central Java must also work hard down to the village level,” he said.
The community’s efforts, he added, have also helped drive the economy and create jobs.
In fact, Central Java’s open unemployment rate fell from 4.33 percent to 4.24 percent, with around 460,000 additional people in work.
Investment growth has also continued, with investment reaching Rp59.94 trillion in the first half of 2026, while Central Java’s economic growth currently stands at 5.80 percent and the poverty rate has fallen to 9.21 percent.
The Governor explained that these achievements have gone hand in hand with programmes to meet the community’s basic needs, such as free education for 231,724 state school students and around 5,004 private school students.
The government has also provided scholarships for underprivileged students, including 10,000 students from poor families, while 282 schools have been renovated and nine new schools built.
In the health sector, the free health screening programme has reached around 21 million people, while in housing the government has completed around 339,963 units of the housing backlog.
Central Java has also strengthened support for central government programmes, such as the free nutritious meals programme (MBG), which has reached around nine million beneficiaries through 4,382 SPPG units.
A total of 14 Sekolah Rakyat have been realised with 1,275 students, while 8,523 Koperasi Desa Merah Putih have been established, including 6,271 units that are already operational.
“These various achievements are not solely the result of government work. The awards and achievements earned by Central Java are also the fruit of contributions from all elements of society,” he said.
The Central Java anniversary commemoration was attended by various elements of society, from schoolchildren, farmer representatives and MSME players to former governors and other community figures.
Former Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo reminded that the agricultural sector is one of the pillars that must continue to be optimised.
The government must care about this sector because it is a strength, especially since Central Java is a national food barn.
“Central Java must have a strong economy, as a buffer for national resilience, so the people of Central Java must work diligently, farm and cultivate crops for the welfare of their families and the nation,” said the Governor of Central Java for the 2008–2013 period.