Deputy Agriculture Minister Strengthens Youth Movement in Agricultural Sector
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Agriculture Minister (Wamentan) Sudaryono has partnered with Gerakan Pemuda (GP) Ansor from Central Java to play an active role in advancing the national food self-sufficiency programme, a priority of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
“This collaboration is expected to strengthen the role of youth organisations in supporting agricultural sector development whilst improving community welfare,” Sudaryono said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
In a meeting with GP Ansor and Banser representatives across Central Java, Wamentan emphasised that the government is opening wide opportunities for youth organisations to participate directly in various strategic programmes of the Agriculture Ministry.
“I want GP Ansor Central Java to actively support the President’s food self-sufficiency programme. There are several programmes that can be directly utilised by Ansor cadres,” said Wamentan.
One programme being offered is the Pangan Brigade, which involves managing agricultural land of approximately 200 hectares by a group comprising 15 members. The group will receive full support in the form of agricultural machinery and equipment (alsintan) valued at approximately 3 billion rupiah.
“The Pangan Brigade is complete with its mechanisation. It is valued at approximately 3 billion rupiah and is provided free of charge. I invite GP Ansor Central Java to establish at least one or two brigades. Please prepare the land, and we will support it with agricultural machinery,” he explained.
According to Sudaryono, the programme aims not only to increase national food production but also to create economic opportunities for young people involved in its management.
Beyond the Pangan Brigade, Wamentan Sudaryono also opened opportunities for agricultural mechanisation support in food-producing regions of Central Java such as Grobogan, Boyolali, Sragen, and Demak.
The need for equipment such as tractors and other modern agricultural equipment can be proposed by GP Ansor cadres to support agricultural productivity in their areas.
Furthermore, Wamentan conveyed that the government is also promoting the strengthening of the plantation and horticulture sectors through a commodity rejuvenation programme with a budget allocation reaching 9.9 trillion rupiah. The programme covers various strategic commodities such as sugarcane, cocoa, coconut, coffee, cashew, pepper, and nutmeg.
“Please select commodities that are suitable and for which you have land. Report through the Ansor leadership, and we will prepare the seeds free of charge. Whether it is one hundred hectares or one thousand hectares, we can support everything,” he said.
He hopes that GP Ansor can become a strategic partner of the government in conveying and overseeing various agricultural programmes down to the community level.
According to him, the involvement of youth organisations is crucial to ensure that government programmes are truly targeted correctly.
“GP Ansor can be the eyes, ears, and mouthpiece of the central government, particularly in conveying agricultural programmes to communities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shidqon Prabowo, Chairman of the Regional Leadership of GP Ansor Central Java, welcomed the collaboration. He conveyed that Ansor has also been implementing various programmes focused on community service, including strengthening the economy of cadres and food security.
Shidqon explained that Ansor cadres in Central Java have been implementing a number of productive economic programmes, including agricultural development through the cultivation of horticultural commodities such as avocados in the Boyolali region.
Additionally, Ansor is also active in community social activities, disaster mitigation, and community service through various institutions owned by the organisation.
He affirmed that GP Ansor Central Java is ready to synergise with the Agriculture Ministry in supporting the national food self-sufficiency programme whilst strengthening economic independence of cadres across various regions.
“Ansor is committed to being khadimul ummah or a servant of the community. Therefore, we are ready to collaborate with the government, including with the Agriculture Ministry, to support programmes that have a direct impact on communities,” said Shidqon.
Through this collaboration, he hopes that the role of young people in the agricultural sector becomes stronger, whilst simultaneously accelerating the realisation of a sustainable national food self-sufficiency programme.