JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS— The Tionghoa Social Association of Indonesia (PSMTI) has expressed its support for the government’s food security policy. The General Chairman of PSMTI, Wilianto Tanta, emphasized the association’s commitment to bolstering the agricultural sector to achieve this goal.

PSMTI stands for Paguyuban Sosial Marga Tionghoa Indonesia, which is the Indonesian Chinese Clans Social Association. It is an organization that represents the Chinese Indonesian community and focuses on social, cultural, and economic activities to support and improve the welfare of its members and contribute to the broader Indonesian society.

“Our members, many of whom are involved in agriculture across various regions, are ready to support the food security program of President and Vice President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka,” said Wilianto Tanta in Jakarta on Saturday (August 4/2024)

One of the critical efforts to enhance food security involves improving the quality of human resources in the agricultural sector. Wilianto highlighted the lack of interest among the millennial and Gen Z generations in agriculture as a significant challenge.

“Indonesia’s agricultural technology and land area are on par with neighboring countries. However, the younger generation’s disinterest in this sector is a concern. PSMTI aims to motivate and emphasize the importance of agriculture amid global climate change and food crises,” he added.

In its 20th National Work Meeting (Rakernas), PSMTI plans to invite the Minister of Agriculture and representatives from the Prabowo-Gibran team to present and discuss future food security programs. This event will coincide with PSMTI’s 26th anniversary and the 11th ASEAN Chinese Clans Association (ACCA) meeting.

According to Wilianto, addressing food security is crucial for realizing the vision of a prosperous Indonesia by 2045. “A robust food security system will create a healthy and strong generation, paving the way for our future aspirations,” he said.

Statistics from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reveal ongoing challenges in food security. The harvested area for rice in 2023 was recorded at 10.20 million hectares, a decrease of 255.79 thousand hectares or 2.45 percent from 2022. Rice production also dropped to 53.63 million tons of dry milled grain (GKG) in 2023, down 1.12 million tons or 2.05 percent from the previous year.

In Jakarta, the harvested area fell from 934 hectares in 2020 to 578 hectares in 2021, with rice production decreasing from 4,658 tons to 3,468 tons over the same period.

Several factors are necessary to revitalize the agricultural sector, including the introduction of superior crop varieties resilient to extreme weather, the availability of fertilizers, and enhanced agricultural extension activities to combat plant diseases and pests.

PSMTI aims to contribute ideas and suggestions to ensure the success of the food security program, particularly through the use of technology to boost agricultural production. (Uki Ruknuddin )