Jokowi Distributes Cash Aid to Farmers Who Experience Crop Failure

Jakarta – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) handed over assistance to farmers facing crop failure in the Grobogan region, Central Java. The Head of State urged the farmers to immediately commence the planting process after receiving the aid.

"Earlier, there were groups that received IDR200 million, IDR180 million, and IDR122 million. Hopefully, they can receive the cash and use it directly for planting," the President said through a YouTube video from the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.

The assistance provided by the President amounted to IDR8 million per hectare, aimed at contributing to increasing farmers' productivity.

Farmers who received assistance from the President today came from Grobogan, Kudus, Jepara, Demak, and Pati districts.

"The aid given has also been calculated, IDR 8 million per hectare. So, General Suharyanto (Head of BNPB) cannot be mistaken in calculating it; it is the production cost," President Jokowi remarked.

The President hopes that in the next three to four months, the farmers who received the assistance can harvest their crops. Thus, it is expected to enhance the productivity of their agricultural yields.

The President also highlighted the phenomenon of climate change, whose tangible impact significantly burdens farmers, ranging from droughts to floods.

He further stated that there are currently 22 countries that have stopped exporting rice to other nations due to a lack of supply.

The President emphasized that as a result of the crop failure caused by this climate change phenomenon, he had to instruct the Head of BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) to calculate the assistance to be given to the farmers.

"On this occasion, hopefully, the funds can be received by the farmers soon for planting and harvesting," he concluded.