Gov’t to Provide Assistance for Farmers Affected by COVID-19

Agriculture Minister gives a press statement after a limited meeting through a video conference, Tuesday (5/5). (Photo by: Rahmat/ PR).

The Government has announced it will provide assistance for farmers affected by COVID-19.

According to Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, recipients of the assistance include those doing farming as an odd job, farm laborers, and sharecroppers.

The Minister also noted that Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs has ordered direct assistance to be provided, instead of funding.

“The assistance is in the form of production facilities with a value of approximately Rp300,000 comprising fertilizer, seeds, and medicines,” the Minister said during a press statement on Tuesday (5/5).

Syahrul also said that those facilities are expected to strengthen food security.

Ministry of Agriculture, he added, is also in collaboration with Ministry of Villages to list impoverished farmers in detail by name and by address in which the number is estimated to reach 2.7 million farmers.

“The figure has been validated and collected in stages from farmer groups to farmer’s boarding committee at the district level,” he said, adding the farmer groups will then distribute the assistance to the recipients that have been set forth based on their name and address.

The Minister also pointed out that distribution of production facilities will be harmonized with village assistance from the Ministry of Villages in the form of cash assistance. (TGH/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas