Deputy Minister Urges HKTI East Java to Guard Against Agricultural Programme Irregularities

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono has invited the East Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian Farmers’ Harmony Association (HKTI) to become the front line in preventing irregularities in agricultural programmes that could hamper the sector’s progress.

“If you know of anyone, for example, selling fertiliser above the prescribed price, report it,” Sudaryono said while attending the inauguration of the East Java DPD HKTI in Malang Regency on Friday.

He stated that HKTI needs to serve as a mouthpiece or leading party in specifically promoting programmes in the agricultural sector, whilst also acting as the eyes and ears tasked with monitoring and preventing fraudulent practices.

He said the government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto places its full backing behind farmers.

“We must not remain merely a country with potential; it must be executed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the East Java DPD HKTI, Arum Sabil, affirmed his side’s commitment to taking on a role assisting the government to ensure all agricultural programmes run well and according to plan.

He stressed that East Java HKTI will provide accurate, targeted information on the real picture of agricultural conditions in every area of the province.

Arum Sabil assured that, in addition to working with the government, HKTI also consistently collaborates with law enforcement as a measure to anticipate misuse of government policies or programmes by certain parties to the detriment of farmers.

“We share roles — with entrepreneurs, for instance, in the field of farming equipment. These challenges must be faced together through synergy,” he said.