President Jokowi: 2023 Agricultural Census to Formulate Right Policies

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the launch of the implementation of the 2023 Agricultural Census, at the State Palace, Monday (05/15). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Jay)

Data accuracy is critical to formulating the right policies in the agricultural sector, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“The agricultural census needs to be conducted since it involves the livelihoods of many people. Hence, the census requires data accuracy,” the President said in his remarks at the launch of implementation of the 2023 Agricultural Census, at the State Palace, Monday (05/15).

The President also called for the re-implementation of the last census carried out by the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in the past ten years.

In addition, the President also underscored the importance of data renewal in supporting government policies in the agricultural sector, including the allocation of subsidized fertilizer.

“If we decided to provide nine million tons of subsidized fertilizer, the total amount must come from the previous data. Unfortunately, many farmers on the ground still say, “Sir, we are running out of fertilizer.” Probably, the supply is lacking or the distribution is not well-targeted. However, if the data is accurate already, it can be carried out easily,” he said.

On that occasion, the Head of State urged the 2023 Agricultural Census to produce the latest, accurate, and reliable data, considering that agriculture is a strategic sector for the Indonesian economy.

“The agricultural census will cover agriculture, plantations, animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry. Everything will be on the census because we know the sector plays a very strategic role. I received the data that the sector contributes 11.8 percent to our total GDP. That is huge,” he explained.

According to the President, agriculture is also a vulnerable sector due to the threat of global food crisis. As many as 345 million people today are threatened with food shortages due to climate and war change.

“The sector plays a pivotal role in the future, a very strategic role in the future. And, it also provides employment, around 40 million people live in this sector. It reaches 29 percent of the total workforce already,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, the President ordered all relevant parties to conduct the census in June and July.

“I order all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to participate in the census to make it a success. It will be held from June 1 to July 30. Afterward, we can get accurate and qualified data,” the President remarked. (DND/UN) (RIF/LW)