PALEMBANG, The Indonesia Post – Governor of South Sumatra (Sumsel) H. Herman Deru was so determined to advance and develop the agricultural sector. This is not without reason because a country will be strong if its food security is strong. And vice versa, a country will be fragile if its food security is fragile.
“The strength of this country is food security, the country will be fragile if food security is fragile. Therefore, we have to commit to continue advancing agriculture in South Sumatra,” said HD during the Gathering and Intermediate Meeting of Contact of Mainstay Farmers and Fishermen (KTNA) of South Sumatra Province in 2020 in KTNA Secretariat, Thursday (29/10).
According to Herman Deru, South Sumatra is currently in the top five as a food production area in Indonesia. Even on the island of Sumatra, Bumi Sriwijaya is the largest area as a food producer.
“We can be the best as food producers. Moreover, we have large agricultural land. Of course that commitment must be instilled, not only ceremonial but also manifested in deeds,” he said.
Furthermore, he said, South Sumatra has the potential to become the largest food producer in Indonesia. If farmers in a number of food centers such as Banyuasin Regency, OKI Regency, East OKU Regency, Empat Lawang Regency and South OKU Regency have the same commitment.
“For food crop centers in South Sumatra, such as Banyuasin, OKI, East OKU, Empat Lawang and South OKU, focus only on agriculture. The provincial government has also built and improved infrastructure to support this agricultural sector to progress,” he explained.
He continued, the profession as a farmer is not a profession that is not honorable and is the profession of last choice. Considering that agricultural affairs are one of the sectors that are used as benchmarks for a region’s prosperity or not. Where agriculture can be a picture of the welfare of the area. In addition, agriculture is also one of the sectors that has become a mainstay in efforts to recover the national economy which had decreased due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Until now, food remains a mainstay. This includes efforts to recover the economy. We are grateful that our economy is not so disturbed by the Covid-19. The parameter is that our food production has not decreased,” he explained.
The governor hopes that the role of KTNA will continue to provide understanding and transfer of correct thoughts to patani under the profession of farmers as a respectable profession.
“This is where our task is to change the thinking of farmers who think that the profession as a farmer is very low. The mindset must be improved. Farmers must also have an entrepreneurial spirit and continue to innovate,” he explained.
In addition, he also asked vocational high school students in South Sumatra to take part in advancing agriculture in South Sumatra by making innovations in agriculture, including Agricultural Machine Tools (Alsintan) so that agricultural production in South Sumatra would increase.
“I have instructed the Head of National Education. I ask students to innovate in making agricultural machinery. We have to go forward and become the biggest producer of this food,” he said.
The agricultural sector is said to be one of the leading sectors in the national economy in absorbing Indonesian labor.
Where according to the records of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the agricultural sector in South Sumatra absorbed a workforce of 1.82 million workers / equivalent to 45.91% of the population who worked in August 2019.
In addition, there are also 3 districts in South Sumatra that are included in the 30 regencies / cities that produce the largest rice production in 2020 in Indonesia, including Banyuasin Regency with 527,294 tons of rice, East OKU district with 359.37 tons of rice, and Ogan Komering Ilir Regency as much 293,138 Tons of rice.
Meanwhile, the Head of South Sumatra KTNA, HM Basyir DA said that farmers have committed to advancing agriculture in South Sumatra.
“Of course we and the government will strive for the advancement of agriculture in South Sumatra. This is also so that the lives of farmers will be more prosperous,” he said. (mhn/ril)
Comment