Suara.com – Commander of Prabowo Gibran’s TKN Communications Team, Budisatrio Djiwandono, admitted that Presidential Candidate Prabowo Subianto has a great focus on food issues.
According to Budisatrio, even though it seems simple, providing food for the community is proof that Prabowo understands the strategic issues that determine the life and death of the nation.
“There is truth in saying that Pak Prabowo’s dream is to make the stomachs of the Indonesian people full and sustainable. This is a basic right and a matter of life and death for the nation. “Those who say food and food issues are less important than others may not be aware of the facts on the ground and the challenges ahead,” Budisatrio told reporters, Sunday (21/1/2024).
Budisatrio Djiwandono, who is also the chairman of Commission IV DPR RI, then traced the facts in question. He said that today there has been a large imbalance between population growth and agricultural land.
“Our population increases by 3 million people every year, about 30 babies per second. In 2045, it is predicted that our (population) will be 324 million people. Meanwhile, on the other hand, our agricultural land continues to decrease by 100,000 hectares every year. “Pak Prabowo realizes this, that we are very vulnerable to hunger,” he explained.
For Prabowo Subianto, continued Budisatrio, this problem cannot be solved by relying on food imports. Learning from the pandemic and the world situation, this is very risky.
“For food, Indonesia must be self-sufficient. If we rely on imports, our sovereignty is at stake. Imagine if supplies from outside stopped, Indonesia would experience a famine. “We are vulnerable, because we depend on other countries,” he explained.
“Even if imports run smoothly, there are still problems. “Our local food products could fail to compete in the market, so that the welfare of our farmers would be the victim,” continued Budisatrio.
According to Budisatrio, President Jokowi and Presidential Candidate Prabowo Subianto also understand this. The Food Estate program is prepared to be a long-term solution to national food security.
“Pak Jokowi has initiated the Food Estate as a national logistics reserve, and Pak Prabowo is determined to continue it. Prabowo Gibran is even determined to perfect it into a Food Granary Program, followed by an agricultural industry that utilizes modern and digital technology. “This is a top priority,” explained Budisatrio.
Prabowo Gibran, continued Budisatrio Djiwandono, was also determined to improve the welfare of farmers and carry out agrarian reform to support community agriculture.
“There is land ownership credit for farmers, government harvest purchases with a minimum profit of 30%, direct access to subsidized fertilizer and seeds. “Everything will be done because these farmers are our spearheads in facing the food crisis,” explained Budisatrio.
Regarding the Free Lunch and Milk program, Budisatrio explained that the main program also aims to create food sovereignty.
“The Free Lunch and Milk Program, because it will rely on local food products, will be able to absorb farmers’ production. “Then children who are fed will be full, grow more optimally, so that they become a superior generation,” he explained.
“With more prosperous farmers, hopefully these smarter children will later become farmers. “Become a hero for the nation’s food,” concluded Budisatrio.