Bengkulu, August 13, 2025 — Farmers have always held a special place in President Prabowo Subianto’s heart, according to Dedek Prayudi, Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO). He said this deep connection can be traced back to at least two pivotal moments in Prabowo’s life.

“The first was during his time as an active-duty military officer, when he received a great deal of help from local communities and farmers. The second was when he led the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI),” Dedek—known familiarly as Uki—said on Wednesday (8/13).

Uki made the remarks while attending the grand corn harvest for the Food Security Program led by President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Jenggalu Village, Seluma Regency, Bengkulu Province.

He stressed that the food security program is vital, especially given the current global situation that demands Indonesia reduce its reliance on foreign food supplies. If major food-producing countries such as India, Brazil, and China were to halt exports, global food prices would soar, inevitably affecting Indonesia.

“Today’s corn harvest is about 10 tons from 1.5 hectares. With government support—subsidized fertilizers, pesticides, or agricultural machinery—the cultivated area and yields will continue to grow, and farmers will be more motivated,” Uki said.

He urged Jenggalu’s village head to expedite administrative requirements so that farmers can access subsidized fertilizer. “As of August, only about 47 percent of the subsidized fertilizer allocation has been used. Let’s not waste the facilities provided by the government. We want not only higher production capacity, but also for farmers to be happy,” he said.

In line with this, Kelik Budianan, Head of the Food Data and Information Center at the National Food Agency (Pusdatin Bapanas), confirmed his agency’s support for President Prabowo’s initiative. He said they are now coordinating with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to absorb farmers’ corn harvests.

“We’re also working to integrate the supply chains of farmers and livestock breeders. When prices are good for crops, feed costs and livestock prices will also be favorable,” Kelik said before Sukaraja District Head Ramlan Effendi, Jenggalu Village Head Johni Midarling, Maret Samuel Sueken, Chairman of the National Development Policy Assistance Network (JPKP), representatives from Pupuk Indonesia, and the people of Jenggalu.