Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Outreach Program for Farmers and Agriculture Instructors in Central Java Province, Pekalongan Regency Square, Central Java Province, December 13, 2023

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation Date 13 Desember 2023

Category: Remarks @en

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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Good morning,

May prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Bapak Prof. Muhadjir attending this event with me, Minister for Agriculture Pak Amran, Commander of Indonesian Defence Force (TNI), Governor of Central Java province, Regent and Vice Regent of Pekalongan regency, Leaders and Members of House of Representatives and Regional House of Representatives attending this event,

Distinguished non-commissioned officers in villages (Babinsa), once again, the Babinsa. Later, when I greet the attendees, please show your energy like the Babinsa,

Attending agriculture instructors (PPL) in Central Java province, that’s the spirit!

Attending farmers, social forest farmers, why not many attending?

Fertilizer retailers, so many fertilizer retailers apparently.

Who else? Millennial farmers, not many attending but very loud.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

As an introduction, I need to tell you that the world is currently having a food crisis. Crisis due to the pandemic has not over yet, economic recovery has not done yet, then climate change came and caused a long heat wave that led to harvest failure. To date, in all countries, food crisis happens, food prices increase in all countries. Moreover, it is due to wars; first, the war in Ukraine between Russia and Ukraine, second, the war in Gaza between Palestine and Israel.

I seems that the war is far from here, in Ukraine, but I had no thoughts that the impacts will be felt here, especially to the farmers. Why is that so? The war between Ukraine and Russia, why does it give impacts to the farmers? It is because the five fertilizer factories that we have, the five fertilizer industries that we have, imported raw materials from Russia and Ukraine. Because of the war, the ships cannot transport the raw materials to all countries. Not only to Indonesia. Therefore, the fertilizer stock is running low and the price increases, that is the problem, so we are all have to aware of the issue.

Then, if the war in Gaza does not end immediately, let alone if it involves Lebanon, because Hizbullah is there, Yemen, because Houthi is there, Syria, because ISIS is there, and also Iran, Ladies and Gentlemen, you can imagine that the war will be greater. It is not our wish, because if the war involves other countries, what will it lead to? Those countries are oil producers, it means that the oil production will stop. If oil production stops, it means that the market supply will be low. If the market supply is low, it means that oil price will rise. If oil price rises, it means that fuel price rises. If fuel price rises, all prices will go higher. Let us pray together that it will not happen.

And we, alhamdulillah, our country can get through the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as 96 countries have become IMF patients. Their economies collapsed; 96 countries have become IMF patients. In the global stage, our country has always been at the top five countries with best economy. We should be grateful for this and continue to maintain it, so our economy will stay stable and improve better.

Now, back to issues on farmers. Minister for Agriculture has just said that he has agreed that in 2024, at the end of 2023, early 2024, he will keep monitoring to prevent any technical issue that may arise. Subsidy for fertilizer, subsidy for fertilizer will be added because the fertilizer supply is ready. How much? I will announce it later after I have a meeting with Minister for Finance. Wait, everything must be calculated, how much should be added, I will ask Minister for Finance to arrange it. Minister for Agriculture will calculate it first, that is the procedure, get the approval of House of the Representatives, and then Minister for Agriculture can add more. But I promise that subsidy for fertilizer will be added. That is on fertilizer.

I understand that Minister for Agriculture was formerly a PPL, I come often to rice fields, to villages, to ask farmers, the problem faced by the farmers in the last years is indeed about fertilizer. Right? Anyone here has no issues with fertilizer? Raise your hand, I will give you a bicycle. Issues on fertilizer will be the focus of Minister for Agriculture, and we will resolve it. Agree?

Second, related to fertilizer retailers. Previously, if you want to buy fertilizer, you must show Farmer’s Card. I have given approval for showing ID card to buy fertilizer as long as the occupation written on the ID card is farmer. So, you can either show Farmer’s Card or ID card. So, if the occupation in the ID card is entrepreneur or State Civil Apparatus, you cannot buy fertilizer, be careful. It means when you show ID card, your occupation should be farmer. Agree? Retailers agree? It is because we want to improve our food production, if the volume of production increases, it is great because the farmers will be happy, the prices of rice and unhulled rice will increase. Right? In the last year or the last two years the price was still at 4,200–4,300. Today, the price is at 7,300-7,800, I have looked around. Are farmers happy? Happy? The price is good. So, it must have increased the production very well. If one hectare usually produces 5.2 [ton], it should increase to above 6 [ton], so the production will increase throughout the country.

Therefore, I ask PPL and Babinsa to fully support farmers during planting, growing seeds, using fertilizer, and harvesting. Keep monitoring them and give them directions. So, once again, our rice production can increase well.

Second, increasing price is also the issue of chili. Is it difficult to plant chili? Difficult? Difficult due to insects or seeds? I ask PPL in locations and areas where chili and green bird’s eye chili can grow well, please improve the production, make it grow well, do not let the price of green bird’s eye chili rise as it reached up to 100,000 previously, although today I have just asked the Governor, and the price is already at 80,000.

I think I conclude my remarks.

Farmers, please raise your hand. Now, farmers first, those who can recite the five principles Pancasila raise your hand. It is for farmers; I will check to ensure it. Yes, the man who wears a hat, please come forward, it is fine if you want to bring your bag, Wait, why this farmer is so handsome, is it true? Please introduce yourself.

Budi Purwanto (Farmer)

My name is Budi Purwanto, known as Budipur, from Cimanggu district, Cilacap regency.