Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo opted for the products of state-owned food cluster PT Pertani (persero), a seed producer company, to distribute paddy seed aid in Bekasi District, West Java.
"We, as one of the state-owned food clusters, are ready to support the government, especially in ensuring food security," President Director of PT Pertani Maryono noted in a written statement received here on Thursday.
Maryono remarked that in supplying the paddy seed aid, Pertani does not get privilege in the government procurement policy agency's e-catalog, but the company rather purely competes with other producers listed in the Minister's Paddy Seed e-catalog.
In terms of the price, quality, service, distribution capability, and farmer groups, Pertani is highly trusted to supply paddy seeds to remote areas in Indonesia.
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"Minister of SOE Erick Thohir has advised PT Pertani to contribute to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the farmers' welfare and seed development since seeds are the most vital aspect in realizing food security and welcoming Indonesia’s Golden Generation 2045, with focus on the economic sector," Maryono expounded.
To ensure sufficient rice stocks until the end of the year, the agriculture minister conducted inspections at rice fields that had entered the harvest period in several regions in Indonesia, including in Bekasi District, West Java.
During the visit, the minister granted assistance in the form of paddy seeds of PT Pertani’s Benih Padiku brand to the local farmers.
Some 162,500 kilograms of seeds were distributed for 6,500 hectares of rice fields with monoculture planting pattern procedures.
A total of 148,800 kilograms of inbred "pureline" paddy seeds and 13,700 kilograms of inbred "variety" paddy seeds were offered under this aid.
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