Prabowo Expresses Pride in Indonesian Farmers for Food Security Efforts
“Those who say rice is expensive should join in planting rice! If rice farmers cannot earn high incomes, tell them to grow it themselves. Grow it themselves? As if it were that easy.”
Jakarta (ANTARA) — President Prabowo Subianto expressed pride and appreciation for Indonesian farmers for their contribution to supporting national food security.
“I am proud of Indonesia’s farmers,” said Prabowo while leading a grand harvest with the TNI, held simultaneously at 43 locations across Indonesia from Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base in Malang, East Java, on Friday.
The President assessed that the food self-sufficiency achievements now being felt would not have been possible without the hard work of farmers in various regions.
“Those who say rice is expensive should join in planting rice! If rice farmers cannot earn high incomes, tell them to grow it themselves. Grow it themselves? As if it were that easy,” he said.
The President also said he had received reports that many farmers were holidaying abroad, indicating that farmers’ welfare is improving.
“Some farmers reported to me that they are currently on holiday in Hong Kong. Wow, how nice,” said Prabowo.
In addition to expressing appreciation for farmers, the President also conveyed his pride in the role of the TNI and Polri, who are involved in grand harvest activities and various food security programmes.
According to the President, the involvement of the TNI and Polri shows that these two institutions are not only tasked with safeguarding the country’s defence and security, but are also an inseparable part of the people and present to help overcome various difficulties faced by the community.
He noted that the current grand harvest with the TNI, as well as the maize grand harvest with the Polri last May, prove that food security has become a national movement involving all the strengths of the nation.
“The TNI and Polri are the children of the people. The TNI and Polri must always be with the people, in the midst of the people. The people’s difficulties are the difficulties of the TNI and Polri,” said Prabowo.
“As long as there are people living in hardship, it is the obligation of all components to unite, work shoulder to shoulder, and take big, concrete steps to overcome the people’s difficulties,” he added.
The President also expressed pride and emotion over the various contributions of the TNI and Polri within communities, including infrastructure development and the provision of water access in various regions.
According to him, the presence of the TNI and Polri among the people is part of efforts to help improve the welfare of the people.
“I am proud of the TNI. I am proud of the TNI. I am proud of the Polri. Thank you,” he said.