PEMATANGSIANTAR — SEGARIS.CO — CHAIRMAN of the Education and Training Division [DIKLAT] of the Indonesian Farmers’ Association [HKTI] of North Sumatra [Sumut], Dr. Tuangkus Harianja MM, MH said that Field Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL) have a central role in supporting the development of the agricultural sector, farmer welfare and accelerating food security self-sufficiency in Indonesia.
“The main task of PPL is to provide education and assistance to farmers, business actors, and their families with the aim of improving their welfare,” said Tuangkus Harianja, the former Head of the Pematangsiantar City BNN, to the Editor-in-Chief of Segaris.co, Ingot Simangunsong on Sunday [11/24/2024].
Tuankus Harianja said that in carrying out their duties, PPL work directly with farmers who are members of farmer groups.
This is in line with the provisions stipulated in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture (Permentan) Number 35 of 2009 and the Regulation of the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Permenpan) Number 13 of 2019.
The assistance provided by PPL covers various stages, starting from agricultural cultivation planning, such as the preparation of the Definitive Group Needs Plan (RDKK), data input through the agricultural extension information system (Simluhtan), to calculating the allocation of subsidized fertilizers.
Not only that, PPL is also involved in the implementation of extension programs and evaluating the success of the activities that have been carried out.
With this role, PPL is the spearhead of agricultural development that is oriented towards increasing the productivity and welfare of farmers in Indonesia, said Tuangkus Harianja.
Collaboration between government sectors
According to Tuangkus Harianja, in responding to the big idea of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto — who is also the Chairman of the HKTI Advisory Board — regarding the acceleration of FOOD SECURITY SELF-SUFFICIENCY, collaboration between government sectors and business entities at the provincial, district and city government levels is very much needed.
Because this big idea is mostly dominated by the Ministry of Agriculture whose descendants are down to the agricultural services in the provinces, districts and cities, according to Tuangkus Harianja, it is very appropriate for Field Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL) to increase their role in mentoring any government, organization and institution that is called to realize the big idea of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
“Why is that? Because the PPL can contribute to conveying an understanding of the suitability of land for planting what types of plants. The direction of which will clarify the accuracy of the realization of the big idea of national food security self-sufficiency and improving the welfare of farmers and the community as owners of small land areas,” said Tuangkus Harianja. [***]
