Deputy National Police Chief Distributes 1,000 Social Assistance Packages to Cianjur Garlic Farmers' Group

Deputy National Police Chief Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo distributed 1,000 social assistance packages to farmers and residents at the foot of Mount Gede Pangrango, specifically in Kampung Maleber, Desa Ciherang, Pacet District, Cianjur Regency, on Wednesday (19/8).

The social assistance was distributed primarily to farmers participating in the simultaneous garlic planting programme.

Dedi said the assistance is expected to ease the burden on farmers and help them during the garlic planting period.

“Hopefully this assistance can help the farmers. With their needs met, they can focus on garlic farming, so that the harvest can be abundant,” said Dedi.

Dedi also expressed his happiness at being able to provide assistance to the farmers.

“Seeing the happy faces of the farmers and the community is certainly a special moment for us. It proves that the National Police continues to be present in the midst of society,” he said.

Dedi said Cianjur is one of 14 areas in West Java selected to implement the simultaneous garlic planting programme to achieve garlic self-sufficiency in Indonesia.

According to him, the land used comes from PTPN, the Agriculture Service, and the farmers’ group association (Gapoktan). In the initial stage, a total of 44.58 hectares of land is ready for planting.

“This land area will continue to grow gradually,” he said.

Within the next four months, the simultaneous planting is expected to produce a harvest of approximately 450 tonnes of garlic.

“The production volume will also increase as the land area expands, until the garlic self-sufficiency target is achieved,” said Dedi.

One farmer, Ayi, expressed his happiness over the social assistance provided.

“Of course I am happy, because this assistance can ease the daily needs of farmers. Thank you, National Police,” said Ayi.

Similarly, Suhendar, a farmer from Gapoktan Pasir Sapi, said the social assistance can help meet farmers’ needs while they wait for the harvest from the garlic self-sufficiency programme.

“With this assistance, we farmers no longer have to worry about meeting our daily needs while waiting for the harvest. So we can focus on farming, so that garlic production meets expectations and Indonesia can achieve garlic self-sufficiency,” he said.