Agriculture Minister visits Batola, Anjir Pasar becomes model for Food Brigade

Marabahan, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman on Friday (Nov 22, 2024), visited Anjir Pasar Kota I village in Barito Kuala (Batola) District, South Kalimantan, to observe the implementation of land optimazation, rice field printing, and formation of Food Brigade (BP).

Head of Batola Agriculture, Food Crops and Horticulture (DPTPH) Murniati, represented Batola Acting Regent Dinansyah, revealed that 91 Food Brigades had been formed from millenial farmers.

“Alhamdulillah today Anjir Pasar Kota Satu Village has become a model for Food Brigade for food security," she said.

One Food Brigade (BP), she said, was formed for 15 millennial farmers. "One BP manages 200 hectares of rice field with the hope in one month they will get IDR10 million, of course with assistance from Agriculture Ministry from machinery, planting toolds, harvesting tools, fertilizer, seeds and others,” said Murniati.

The Minister said, Food Brigade program is his ministry's strategic step to boost agricultural productivity. It attracts younger generation and supports national food security through modern technology and sustainable management.

He also said two main keys to attract young people to enter agricultural sector are high technology and clear profits.

"Millennials and generation Z will go into agriculture if these two things are met. Without these two, it is impossible for them to go down to the field," he expounded in a press statement, Saturday.

“We have been ordered by the President to achieve food self-sufficiency as quick as possible , no later than four years," he pointed out.

During his visit, Agriculture Minister handed over pre-harvest agricultural machinery assistance for Food Brigade program in South Kalimantan in the form of 17 units of four-wheeled tractors, 34 units of two-wheeled tractors, 43 units of water pumps, 30 units handsprayers and four units transplanters.