Vice President K.H. Ma'ruf Amin highlighted the positive growth of Indonesia's agricultural sector over the past two years, which has acted as an economic cushion amid the complexities of the pandemic, extreme climate changes, and global geopolitical tensions. He emphasized the resilience of the agricultural sector, even during the threat of the El Nino crisis, where it managed to maintain rice supply throughout the crisis period. A higher rice production in 2022 compared to 2021 was noted, reaching 31.5 million tons. At the macro level, the agricultural sector has consistently grown positively, reaching around IDR 658 trillion. Given this positive growth trend, the Vice President urged continuous improvement of the agricultural sector.

The Vice President also emphasized the need to enhance agricultural performance to support potential global food crises. He called for Indonesia's agricultural achievements to return to pre-pandemic levels, stating that the National Food Resilience Index has improved, reflecting farmers' well-being. He expressed gratitude that food-related issues have been addressed, and prices have been relatively stable. He encouraged the spirit of hard work among stakeholders to maintain this success.

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo echoed the appreciation for those who contributed significantly to the agricultural development in Indonesia. He mentioned that the awards are intended to motivate further advancements in the agricultural sector, showcasing the nation's care for its interests. The awards were presented to ministers and regional leaders who played active roles in addressing the impact of El Nino and expanding rice cultivation areas. This includes 10 provinces and 12 regencies that supported national rice production expansion on 500,000 hectares from August to September 2023. Other figures and regions were also recognized for their contributions to agricultural development.

Source:
https://www.wapresri.go.id/wapres-pertanian-tumbuh-dan-tangguh/