Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick Hasnul Qolbi visited North Penajam Paser Regency (PPU) in East Kalimantan, Monday (5/12/2022) yesterday. During the visit, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture said that the agricultural sector is the main thing in the National Capital City (IKN) of the archipelago. Because, according to him, this concerns the food needs of the IKN population, which is estimated to reach 1.9 million people. "The agricultural sector is the main thing because it concerns the food of the population at IKN Nusantara later," he said. Harvick explained, the agricultural potential in the IKN buffer zone would soon be maximized. One of them is owned by PPU as one of the closest areas to the new capital city. Previously it was known that PPU, with an area of agricultural land owned, was one of the food storages in East Kalimantan. He said that the effort being made was empowerment through various programs that were right on target. construction," he said.
During a visit to PPU, Deputy Minister Harvick also conducted a survey of horticultural agricultural land cultivated by local residents. He also took the time to hold dialogues with a number of farmer groups in Giripurwa Village, Penajam District. Various aspirations were conveyed by the farmers, ranging from the need for agricultural machinery to the hope of continuing the construction of the dam. "Hopefully with the aspirations of farmers, ranchers, planters, it can be carried out in a systematic manner, especially regarding the procurement earlier. Then assistance is also in the form of Alsintan and others, we will try to implement it in 2023," he said. Meanwhile, Acting Regent of PPU, Hamdam hopes that the agricultural sector in his area can contribute to maintaining food security towards national food sovereignty. "Hopefully PPU Regency can contribute optimally in maintaining regional and national food security with the full support of the Ministry of Agriculture and all agricultural stakeholders, both central and regional," said Hamdam. The Deputy Minister's visit to PPU Regency was also coupled with a visit to the IKN zero point location in Sepaku District.
