Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Agricuture has asked Tapin government to immediately build a regional government-owned enterprise (BUMD) in agriculture sector as a downstream industrial solution to benefit the welfare of farmers.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick Hasnul Qolbi in a meeting with Tapin Regent HM Arifin and Head of Tapin Agriculture Agency Wagimin in Jakarta on Thursday (February 24, 2022) said that Tapin has a good agricultural potential.
He was speaking after the regent and head of the agency spoke about the situation faced by Tapin.
BUMD, according to him, will be able to absorb all the crops planted by farmers.
“In addition to process agricultural products downstream, BUMD will absorb local workers, especially in difficult times like this,” he said.
Adequate production and post-harvest as well as downstream industry through BUMD are considered to be able to maximize agriculture in Tapin which always increases every year.
One of Harvick's suggestion, said the regent, that the Tapin government to cooperate with local private sector in business partnership format.
In comparation the "One Company for One Local Government" program has been carried out in several regions in Indonesia, such as Trenggalek District, East Java, and Sambas District, West Kalimantan.
“Alhamdulillah there are several programs that we are trying to synergize on how to make districts, cities, and provinces throughout Indonesia able to surge in the midst of COVID-19, especially in food sector. Hopefully we can secure it in the future, Insya Allah,” he said.
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Regent HM Arifin Arpan welcomed the direction from the Ministry of Agriculture. He said the increase in Tapin agriculture must be aligned with a good downstream industry.
"Limited capital and the extent of planting area are still the problems of our farmers which still depend on government assistance program. There are still many who have not developed independently," he admitted.
Head of Agriculture Agency Wagimin said the government will soon prepare a team for the establishment of BUMD and the ministry is also committed to send experts to help.
"The BUMD will be designed to engage in food crops, livestock, plantation, fisheries, and food security," he confirmed when he was in Jakarta.
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