Gibran Engages Farmers in Dialogue, Ensures Follow-Up on Their Input

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming engaged in a dialogue with farmers and fishermen from across Indonesia when opening the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen Week (PENAS) in Gorontalo, assuring them that the government would follow up on their input. When opening PENAS XVII at the David-Tony Sports Hall in Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, on Saturday, Vice President Gibran invited several representatives of farmers and fishermen to the stage to share their suggestions for improving the agricultural and fisheries sectors in their respective regions. “I ask the ministers, deputy ministers, and everyone present here to please follow up on these matters immediately,” said Vice President Gibran. He specifically requested that Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman delve deeper into these issues before the closing of PENAS XVII, which is planned to be conducted by President Prabowo Subianto. PENAS XVII runs from 20 to 25 June 2026. On the occasion, the Vice President also confirmed that the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, will continue to oversee various efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. This includes the elimination of 145 regulatory requirements for fertiliser distribution already carried out by the Agriculture Minister, as well as the revitalisation and construction of seven fertiliser and raw material plants in several regions, including Palembang, Gresik, Bontang, and Lhokseumawe. PENAS XVII is a major gathering of farmers and fishermen from across Indonesia, with this year’s event centred in Gorontalo. Also in attendance were Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana, and Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency Abdul Kadir Karding.