Presidential Staffer, Local Stakeholders Join Hands to Develop Aceh Millennial Farmers Program

Special Staffer to the President Billy Mambrasar holds a meeting with Syiah Kuala University academics and Indonesian Farmer Association (HKTI) leadership of Aceh, at the University campus, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Tuesday (16/02). (Photo by: Team of the Presidential Staffer Billy Mambrasar)

Special Staffer to the President Billy Mambrasar held a meeting with Syiah Kuala University academics and Indonesian Farmer Association (HKTI) leadership of Aceh branch, to discuss plans for collaboration to launch the Millennial Farmers Program in Aceh.

The Millennial Farmers Program is a program run by Ministry of Agriculture to create 2.5 million young and productive farmers to boost food security in Indonesia.

“I will continue to strive to encourage campuses to produce progressive and innovative youth to build the nation towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” Billy said at the University campus, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Tuesday (16/02).

Various forms of cooperation and collaboration between various stakeholders are agreed upon to support the implementation of the Aceh Millennial Farmer Program.

“I come from Papua, and Papua-Aceh are two most outer provinces in Indonesia, which must be part of this program,” he said.

Papua Muda Inspiratif (Inspiring Young Papua) entrepreneurial movement, Billy further said, becomes the driver of the Millennial Farmer Program in Papua and West Papua Provinces.

“Meanwhile in Aceh, there will be cross-stakeholder collaboration, such as collaboration with HKTI and the Millennial Farmer Ambassador,” he added.

Furthermore, Billy said that he has been given a mandate by Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo to create 100,000 millennial farmers from the target of 2.5 million set by the Ministry. In attempt to realize this target, Billy emphasized that he always cooperates with the local communities/youth.

“As for Papua and West Papua, it will be driven by Papua Muda Inspiratif and in Aceh by HKTI and other communities who want to get involved,” he said.

Regarding the mandate, Billy said that he would target four groups, as follows

First, to encourage youth who are previously not interested in becoming farmers to enter this sector. Four percent of the total program participants will fall in this category, he said.

Second, to encourage youth who have entered the agricultural sector to have entrepreneurial skills. “About 30 percent of the participants of this program will fall in this category,” Billy stated.

Third, to encourage farmers to use technology for their business, with a target of 20 percent of program participants.

Fourth, to encourage those who are already doing business in this sector to become export business actors with 10 percent falling in this sector. (Team of the Presidential Staffer Billy Mambrasar/UN) (FI/MUR)