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 accompanied by the Acting Head of the Pematangsiantar City BNN, Joko Sirait and the Head of the Pematangsiantar City HKTI, Sudianto Wilis, invited the Editor-in-Chief of Segaris.co, Ingot Simangunsong to discuss the big idea of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto regarding the acceleration program of NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY SELF-SUFFICIENCY at the Pematangsiantar BNN office, Tuesday [19/11/2024].
Tuangkus Harianja explained that HKTI North Sumatra is ready to oversee the program of President Prabowo Subianto, so that the achievement of food self-sufficiency, especially in the Province and regencies/cities of North Sumatra, is truly fulfilled and in accordance with expectations.
“We will oversee the implementation of the food security self-sufficiency program conveyed by the President. We will form a task force (Satgas) and it is hoped that the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Regency Government and City Government will synergize in appreciating the great idea of Mr. Prabowo Subianto, who is also the Chairman of the HKTI Advisory Board,” said Tuangkus Harianja, the former Head of the Pematangsiantar BNN.
Why should we be at the Pematangsiantar BNN?
Tuankus Harianja explained that during his leadership at the Pematangsiantar BNN, a program was launched to utilize yard land for hydroponic plant cultivation, fish farming and fertilizer production.
“This program was introduced as a provision for drug addicts who entered the rehabilitation program, and received a response, including from the general public, institutions and church administrators,” said Tuangkus Harianja.
As a pilot area — it has been running for almost three years — on the 3rd floor of the BNN building, an open area of 15 meters x 14 meters is used as a hydroponic lettuce plant, the handling of which is entrusted to the Head of HKTI Pematangsiantar, Sudianto Wilis.
“This is a form of participation by BNN Pematangsiantar in supporting food security and also becoming a very promising financial income for urban communities. This means that the remaining land as a city yard can be used to increase income,” said Tuangkus Harianja.
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of BNN Pematangsiantar City, Joko Sirait, said that the program that has been introduced by Pourkus Harianja is still being used as an ongoing program.
“This program is very useful, we introduce the children in drug rehabilitation to this program. We provide assistance to realize a hydroponic plant business that provides income, so that they are no longer influenced by drugs,” said Joko Sirait.
So the main income
For the Head of HKTI Pematangsiantar City, Sudianto Wilis, who previously only farmed as a hobby, he was finally interested in studying and pursuing the hydroponic planting pattern process.
“Previously I only did it as a hobby, finally it became my main income,” said Sudianto Wilis who left his job at an insurance company.
Sudianto Wilis has not been open about how much he earns as a hydroponic farmer. What is certain is that he is overwhelmed to meet the demand for lettuce leaves for culinary entrepreneurs in Pematangsiantar.
“With the President’s big idea, HKTI is ready to hold training education for farmers, and millennial farmers related to food security and self-sufficiency, we are ready to provide assistance to farmers and prepare a Task Force to supervise the national food security self-sufficiency policy in North Sumatra,” said Tuangkus Harianja. [***]