TNI Rice Harvest Programme in Jambi Supports National Food Security
A large-scale rice harvest on 70 hectares of land under a TNI programme in the integrated independent city (KTM) area of Geragai District, East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi, represents ongoing support for the national food security programme.
"We support the direction and policies of the President in strengthening food security. If our food production is strong, national food security will be maintained and food-insecure regions can be minimised," said Jambi Governor Al Haris at the harvest site on Friday.
Governor Al Haris conveyed the importance of synergy among stakeholders to increase food production and maintain supply availability for the community. This joint harvest demonstrates a commitment to strengthening food security through technical support and guidance for local farmers.
Through this national simultaneous harvest, it is hoped that food security will be strengthened, the supply of strategic commodities will be stabilised, and farmer welfare will be improved through cross-sector collaboration between the government, the TNI, and the community. It also serves as a basis for strengthening production and increasing agricultural commodities, which is key to stabilising national food stocks.
"If our commodity output increases, Indonesia will be better protected from import dependency. We must strengthen our food base to support the President’s priority programmes," the Governor explained.
After the harvest activity, Major General TNI Arief Gajah Mada, Commander of the I/Bukit Barisan Regional Military Command, affirmed that the TNI and regional security forces are committed to supporting the food security programme. According to him, the Regional Military Command, which now oversees two provinces (Jambi and West Sumatra), will continue to strengthen its commitment to ensuring the success of food security programmes, particularly for rice.
"We are ready at any time to provide assistance to local governments and farmers within the Regional Military Command’s area. The TNI is ready to support the government’s programmes in line with the Asta Cita, regarding food security in the regions," the Commander asserted.
The harvest in Geragai, East Tanjung Jabung, was part of a nationwide simultaneous harvest movement for sugarcane, rice, and soybeans conducted across 43 locations throughout Indonesia. Nationally, President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto led the simultaneous harvest event from Malang Regency, East Java.