Our rainfall is still good as it is now. We are vigilant next year. Hence, now, we are carrying out studies and investigations. We are looking for water sources everywhere. We order the Defense University to develop water technology
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto is focusing efforts to strengthen national food security through steps including by deploying cadets and academics from the Defense University (IDU) to develop water technology.
Subianto explained that the effort was a step to anticipate the potential for climate change.
“Our rainfall is still good as it is now. We are vigilant next year. Hence, now, we are carrying out studies and investigations. We are looking for water sources everywhere. We order the Defense University to develop water technology,” Subianto remarked after attending the commemoration ceremony of the 77th Anniversary of the Military (TNI) at the Merdeka Palace, here, Wednesday.
The search for water sources is also conducted in all regions to deal with the potential for climate change that may have an unfavorable impact on the sustainability of agricultural land in Indonesia.
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Subianto also reminded that in recent years, Indonesia’s agricultural production was quite good, so it could properly support the national food reserves.
In mid-August, he remarked that Indonesia had also received an award from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for its achievement in rice self-sufficiency since 2019.
“Hence, we are one of the most fortunate countries as compared to other countries. According to the FAO, currently, there are more than 300 million people. Approximately 15 thousand people die of hunger in the world every day,” he stated.
Hence, Subianto highlighted President Joko Widodo’s message to maintain cohesion in anticipating the potential for food crisis that had occurred in several countries, including Indonesia.
“I think the government is working hard, the president is working hard, and it can be said that every week, we have a meeting on food and energy. Hence, we have to be vigilant,” he emphasized.
In addition, Subianto encouraged the ranks of the TNI to partake in efforts to strengthen national food security, including through utilizing unused land in various regions.
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“Cooperation with district, municipal, and provincial governments and the private sector (is crucial). We should use land that had not been utilized for food and energy,” the minister stated.
During an internal meeting on food estate development chaired by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday (Oct 4), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Prabowo Subianto would be lined up as head of the Strategic Logistics Reserve Agency.
The agency is planned to be formed through the legal umbrella of regulations included in a presidential regulation (perpres) related to increasing national food production through the development of food estate areas.
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