TNI friend of farmers

Rantau, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Indonesian National Army (TNI) in Tapin District is a friend for farmers. TNI continues to play an active role in agriculture to support the achievement of food self-sufficiency.

The 1010 Rantau District Military Commander (Dandim) Lieutenant Colonel CZI Bambang Iswandaru through Territorial Section Officer Captain Yanto Harsono said that the proximity of TNI with farmers has been very well established in Tapin District.

"The farmers if they will plant and harvest always coordinate with us, and we always deploy members to go directly to the field to help farmers," he said when met in his office on Tuesday (17/10).

In fact, he said, TNI participated in the management of water irrigation for farmers' rice fields to keep irrigated and so were fish cages.

"We also come down with the farmers in the monitoring and control of pests," said Captain Yanto.

Success is evident on some farms fields, which are usually only once harvested. Following the role of the TNI, farmers were able to harvest twice a year.

"Even in the Lokpaikat area, farmers can afford three harvests in a year," he said again.

In addition, TNI played a role in marketing grain yields from farmers who were struggling to sell their grain.

"Farmers when have difficulties selling unhusked rice, they contact us and then we coordinate with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)," said Captain Yanto again.

Meanwhile, Ali, a farmer from the village of Harapan Masa, South Tapin Sub-district, felt very helped by the TNI in helping farmers to farm.

"We used to have one harvest a year, with this TNI we are able to harvest twice a year," Ali said.