President Jokowi: Gov’t Focuses on Strengthening Food Security

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo plants the first sugarcane at PT Global Papua Abadi, Sermayam Village, Tanah Miring district, Merauke regency, South Papua, Tuesday (07/23). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

In a bid to combat the global food crisis worsened by extreme climate change, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo Tuesday (07/23) planted the first sugarcane at PT Global Papua Abadi located in Sermayam Village, Tanah Miring district, Merauke regency, South Papua.

“We are aware that the world is currently facing a food crisis due to climate change, prolonged heatwaves, and droughts. Ensuring food self-sufficiency, food security, and food sovereignty should be our top priority,” the President said in his press statement after the planting event.

The President underscored the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable initiatives in agriculture and the environment. This commitment extends beyond the current administration; the future administration under the President-elect Prabowo Subianto will also prioritize the food and energy sectors.

“We have attempted this approach here multiple times with no success. However, now I believe that starting from the initial stages of seeding with tissue culture, planting various varieties, and scientifically monitoring yields, we are seeing promising results,” the President said.

On that occasion, the Head of State also inspected several facilities and infrastructure at the company, such as tissue culture laboratories, sugarcane nurseries, sugarcane plantations, and conservation plant nurseries

The President also expressed his optimism about Indonesia becoming a significant food producer in the Merauke region and nearby areas, focusing on crops such as rice, corn, sugarcane for sugar production, and bioethanol.

“With expansive flat fields and abundant water resources here, I see an opportunity to establish Indonesia as a food hub in Merauke and its surrounding areas,” he said.

The President also expressed appreciation to the company for its efforts to promote environmental sustainability, which includes establishing a nursery to cultivate seeds and native plants from Papua, aimed at rehabilitating the local forests.

“That way, we achieve food security and green energy while preserving our forests,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (RIF/MUR)