Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inspection of Water Pump Distribution in Layoa Village, Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi Province, July 5, 2024
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Well, this morning, I have visited Bulukumba regency with the entourage to check prices at the market in Bulukumba. The prices are good, I have checked that the price of onion is Rp30,000, chilis’ price is Rp30,000, and so on. All commodities’ price is cheaper than that in Java island. I learned that South Sulawesi province has their own production, this is really good, really good.
Then, I came to Bantaeng regency to check the pumps distribution. Ministry of Agriculture has distributed 80 units of water pumps for Bantaeng regency. The Regent said that the regency needed 150 units of water pumps, and 80 units has been provided. It will increase productivity. The local farmers have just said that they can only harvest once because the water is insufficient, whereas the land is fertile. So, with the water pumps, the farmers can plant for the second time. We hope that it is possible to plant for the third time. It means that from one time planting, at least we can improve it to second or third time. This will boost our rice productivity in national scale. That is what we aim for, and also, it is to anticipate long dry season that occurs in many countries.
Journalist
Sir, what about the economic potential of agriculture when IKN has been established? The economic potential?
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Well, there will be demands from a new market in IKN. Of course, if this regency has surplus rice production, it can be sent to IKN, surplus vegetables production can be sent to IKN, surplus onion production which has a good price actually, a very good price of Rp30,000, can be sent to IKN. I think IKN can be a new economic growth spot, and we also aim for an economic transformation, especially green economy.
Journalist
Do you feel optimistic about food self-sufficiency?
President of the Republic of Indonesia
It is a long process. Food self-sufficiency is not only … , sometimes it goes up and down due to climate change. We made efforts on food self-sufficiency, but then it fell down due to El Niño and La Niña. I think climate has a high impact on food productivity in all countries. Also, in the last two years, the countries that usually have surplus production are also experiencing low production significantly.
Journalist
Thank you, Sir.
(AW/LW)