Amran Prepares Three-Stage Agricultural Strategy to Overcome Poverty in Alor

Indonesian Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has launched a comprehensive three-stage strategy aimed at alleviating poverty in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. This initiative addresses the immediate needs of the population while laying the groundwork for long-term economic prosperity through agricultural development.

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So the program is clear: there is a short term, there is a long term. We are doing both here.

The first stage of the strategy prioritizes ensuring the availability and affordability of rice, a staple food. The government will work with state-owned logistics company Perum Bulog to distribute rice stocks to areas facing shortages. This intervention follows concerns raised by students about high rice prices due to low local production and distribution challenges. So far, significant quantities of rice have been distributed through various government programs to stabilize prices and supply.

The second stage focuses on increasing food production within a relatively short timeframe. The ministry will provide high-yield seeds for rice and corn, agricultural machinery, and water pumps to support farming. Minister Amran has significantly increased the allocation for rice seeds, expanding support from one hectare to 3,000 hectares, and plans to develop 3,000 hectares of corn as part of this mid-term plan. These crops are expected to yield harvests within three to four months, providing a quicker source of income for the local population.

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The second is seeds, we provide seeds, agricultural machinery, pumps, and various other things. Harvests come in three months, right, four months.

Complementing these short-term measures, the third stage involves developing plantation commodities such as cocoa, cashews, and coconuts. These crops are intended to serve as long-term sources of wealth and sustainable income for the community, providing economic benefits for decades. Minister Amran emphasized that this dual approach, addressing immediate food security and short-term income generation while simultaneously building long-term agricultural assets, is crucial for effectively tackling poverty in Alor.

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So people don't have to wait for plantation crops to yield. Rice and corn can be sources of production and income in a shorter time while the government builds the long-term agricultural economic foundation.