President Prabowo Attends Corn Harvest in Tuban, Gov’t Pushes for Food Self-Sufficiency

President Prabowo attends the nationwide second-quarter corn harvest festival, the groundbreaking of 10 national food security warehouses of the Indonesian National Police, and the inauguration of operational activities of 166 Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG Polri) in Tuban regency, East Java province, on Saturday (05/16).

The presence of President Prabowo Subianto at the nationwide second‑quarter corn harvest festival, the groundbreaking of 10 National Food Security Warehouses of the National Police, and the inauguration of operational activities of 166 Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG Polri) in Tuban regency, East Java province, on Saturday (05/16), was greeted warmly by local farmers and farmer groups. The President’s presence was seen as a new hope for the improvement of farmers’ welfare, including forest farmers in Tuban.

Chairperson of Ngudi Makmur Farmers’ Group Tasmuri expressed joy over President Prabowo’s visit, which he described as a historic moment for the local farmer community. “I feel extremely happy to see President Prabowo in person. Our area has never been visited by the President before, so this is the first time, and I feel very happy,” said Tasmuri.

He said that the Government’s current policies are beginning to be felt by farmers, especially regarding easier access to fertilizer at more affordable prices. “Now there are many changes. Previously, fertilizer was always the main problem for farmers. It used to be very difficult, with long queues. Since President Prabowo reduced the price, it was much higher before, but now it is lower with much simpler service and easy to access,” he said.

Ngudi Makmur’s group itself manages 631.7 hectares of land with around 750 tenant farmers. Although fertilizer conditions are increasingly improving, Tasmuri hopes the Government can help meet the need for drilling water for irrigation, since their farming area still heavily depends on rainfall.

“Because in our area, if there is no rain, the second harvest fails. The farmers suffer huge losses, as the corn cannot mature,” he explained.

In addition to irrigation issues, Tasmuri also welcomed the improvement in corn selling prices, which have now reached more than Rp6,000 per kilogram and are considered able to help farmers cover production costs.

“Thank God, the selling price is already good. Previously, corn prices were only Rp3,800–4,000. But now they have reached over Rp6,000-6,200 per kilo. Farmers are very happy, because their costs are much higher,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of Wono Lestari Forest Farmers’ Group (KTH) Sudarlim expressed hope that the President’s presence will bring greater attention to forest farmers. “We, forest farmers in Tuban, 90 percent [of us] grow corn. We hope that in the future we can receive more attention, or at least be given the same treatment as farmers outside the forest area,” said Sudarlim.

He also stressed that fertilizer conditions are beginning to improve. On the other hand, he expects the Government to provide post‑harvest facilities such as drying equipment so that farmers can meet the standards set by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and obtain maximum selling prices.

“What we hope for is facilities for post‑harvest processing, so that we can access Bulog and receive the maximum price,” he said.

He is also optimistic that the food self‑sufficiency program launched by President Prabowo will succeed and deliver tangible benefits for farmers’ welfare.

“With the President’s presence, I am optimistic that farmers’ welfare, not only forest farmers, will improve, and that the food self‑sufficiency program he has launched will succeed,” he said.

In addition to post‑harvest facilities, Sudarlim expressed hope that the Government can assist in the construction of irrigation systems or deep wells so that farmers can increase their planting frequency and reduce the risk of crop failure. He also offered prayers for President Prabowo’s leadership.

“I pray that President Prabowo will always be successful in leading our beloved country, Indonesia, as the greatest blessing from the Almighty, which is located at the equator. That is the greatest blessing, sir,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/MMB)