March 26, 2024

Indonesia Defence Ministry harvests corn in central Kalimantan food estate

Indonesia's Defence Ministry, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, recently conducted a corn harvest in the food estate area of Tewai Baru village, Sepang district, Central Kalimantan, a key component of the government's 2020-2024 National Strategic Programme that aims to optimise land use for crop cultivation and enhance food production across the country, The Jakarta Post reported.

The harvest event was attended by Lt. General Ida Bagus Purwalaksana, a food security staff member at the Defence Ministry, alongside other ministry officials and members of the Central Kalimantan Agriculture Instrument Standardization Agency (BSIP Central Kalimantan).

Under the leadership of Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, the food estate programme has faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness, particularly due to insufficient consideration of crop-soil compatibility in various regions. Instances of harvest failures for rice and other crops have been reported in food estate areas, alongside concerns about deforestation and land clearance in protected forests.

But Ida said that the harvested crops from the food estate were being utilised as food reserves for local residents. He highlighted the food estate's role in shielding local communities from food shortages amidst supply scarcities and escalating prices of essential commodities.

Ida further revealed that the Defence Ministry had successfully harvested corn from nine hectares of land in Central Kalimantan and planned to cultivate cassava on an additional five hectares soon.

In addition to the Defence Ministry's involvement, the Indonesian Army is actively engaged in overseeing the food estate, with the harvested produce intended for direct consumption or to meet the economic needs of the local populace.

Ida said the army's presence in Sepang district has significantly enhanced the socioeconomic autonomy of the community.

Palangka Raya Military commander Colonel Wiwid Wahyu Hidayat expressed optimism about the food estate programme's potential to substantially boost the local economy.

-      The Jakarta Post