Bank Indonesia (BI) Perwakilan Sulawesi Selatan (Sulsel) affirms its commitment to supporting the development of the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors in Sulsel, particularly through the distribution of People's Business Credit (KUR). Rizki Ernadi, the Head of BI Perwakilan Sulsel, expressed this commitment during a meeting with the Acting Governor of Sulsel, Bahtiar Baharuddin, emphasizing the significance of these initiatives for the well-being of the community. Rizki clarified BI's role in facilitating payment systems and overseeing banks in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 23 of 1999 regarding the Deposit Insurance Agency. He stressed that KUR in the agriculture sector is not limited to rice and corn but encompasses various commodities, aiming to broaden the scope of financial support. Acting Governor Bahtiar Baharuddin acknowledged the importance of BI and other banks in disseminating information about KUR, especially beyond staple crops like rice and corn. He highlighted the relevance of KUR for diverse agricultural sectors, including pineapples, bananas, jackfruit, and breadfruit, urging banks to convey this information effectively to the public.
Bahatiar emphasized that KUR recipients can include farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders, addressing concerns in Sulsel where funds are often spent on purchasing seeds from outside the region. He suggested the establishment of local seed centers to address this issue, citing examples like onion seeds in Enrekang, which are currently sourced from Java. To support these efforts, both the banking sector and the government aim to provide training across these sectors for the local community, encompassing farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen in Sulsel. The focus lies on training in various aspects, such as seed cultivation for crops like onions, coconuts, jackfruit, durian, bananas, and more, fostering a comprehensive approach to agricultural development. The meeting involved representatives from Bank Indonesia Perwakilan Sulsel, alongside officials from the Provincial Government of Sulsel, the Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda), and the Sulsel Agriculture and Fisheries Service (BKAD).
