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Jokowi Inaugurates Sugarcane Planting in Merauke
WINDONESIA July 25, 2024
President Jokowi doing inaugural planting of sugarcane at Global Papua Abadi's land in Merauke Regency, South Papua on July 23, 2024. (ANTARA/Presidential Secretariat).
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Iriana, conducted the inaugural sugarcane planting at Global Papua Abadi's land in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, on Tuesday, as a step towards food security.
The President views the sugarcane planting in Sermayam Village, Tanah Miring District, Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, as a strategic step in addressing the global food crisis triggered by extreme climate change.
"We know the world is now facing a food crisis due to climate change, prolonged heat, prolonged drought, heatwaves, so food self-sufficiency, food security, and food sovereignty must be our focus," Jokowi stated.
The President emphasized the government's commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives in agriculture and the environment. Both the current administration and the incoming administration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto will focus on food and energy sectors.
Jokowi also noted that the land had undergone two previous attempts at sugarcane planting, which were unsuccessful.
During the occasion, Jokowi also inspected several facilities and infrastructure at the company, including a tissue culture laboratory, sugarcane nurseries, sugarcane plantations, and conservation plant nurseries.
"From what I observed earlier, starting from tissue culture seedling and planting various [sugarcane] varieties, the results have been scientifically tested and checked for tonnage," he explained.
Jokowi is optimistic about making Indonesia a food granary in the Merauke area and its surroundings, with the potential production of rice, corn, and sugarcane for sugar and bioethanol.
"[Based on] seeing the flat terrain here and abundant water, I think it is an opportunity to make Indonesia a food granary in Merauke and its surroundings," he said.
Jokowi also welcomed the company's good intentions to initiate efforts in sustainable environmental care by establishing nurseries that produce seedlings and endemic Papuan plants to rehabilitate existing forests.
Also accompanying the President and Iriana during the visit were the Investment Minister/Investment Coordinating Board Head Bahlil Lahadalia, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Agus Subiyanto, South Papua Acting Governor Apolo Safanpo, and Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka.
Source: www.antaranews.com