Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Rice Transplanting and Harvesting Area, 29 April 2021, in Pagelaran Sub-District, Malang Regency, East Java Province.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

This afternoon, I am in Kanigoro village, Malang regency, East Java province firstly to inspect rice harvesting and rice transplanting and to inspect Rice Milling Unit.

I, along with Speaker of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) Puan Maharani, and also Ministers, the Governor, and the Regent, want to to ensure that the availability of rice production, rice harvest can really meet the needs of all people all over Indonesia. So, if the stock were available, the harvested rice was also available, then it were produced into rice, the certainty about the amount should be correctly calculated. Therefore, we do not have to import rice, but the calculation must be fixed because it concerns on dietary needs of all people.

And then, I also heard information about one hectare of rice field that is planted with IPB 3S variety (a pest-resistant paddy variety developed by the Bogor Agricultural University) can produce up to 12 tons of grain. This yield is very good. Later, I will follow up with the IPB to develop it in greater quantity so that our food security, our food sovereignty can be achieved without importing rice from other countries.

In addition, there are also several things needed by farmers, which require a process, namely the use of agricultural equipment and infrastructure related to technology. There was a request from farmers. They requested for the procurement of harvesting machines, tractors, and other equipment needed. I told the farmers that we, the Government, will fulfill this request because it is necessary for the farmers in this area.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion.

I thank you.  (AP/EP)