Banjarmasin lawmakers seek public input on farmer protection bill

Banjarmasin lawmakers are seeking residents’ views before moving forward with a draft regulation on protecting and empowering farmers, putting public consultation at the center of the legislative process.

The city council held the meeting at the Pangeran Permai complex in North Banjarmasin. Mutmainnah, a member of the council, said feedback from residents should guide further discussion and the eventual approval of the regulation. “Before further discussion and approval, we need input and must listen to the aspirations of the community so that its implementation meets our shared expectations,” she said.

“

Before further discussion and approval, we need input and must listen to the aspirations of the community so that its implementation meets our shared expectations.

Mutmainnah linked the proposed protections to the wider role of farmers in sustaining agriculture and food security. “Farmers play an important role in agriculture, including food security, which is a need for us all. Therefore, farmers need protection and empowerment,” she said.

“

Farmers play an important role in agriculture, including food security, which is a need for us all. Therefore, farmers need protection and empowerment.

Yuliansyah Effendi, head of Banjarmasin’s Food Security, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, joined the consultation as a speaker. His participation gave residents an opportunity to discuss the substance of the draft regulation directly with city officials while the measure remains under consideration.

Yuliansyah said residents had offered useful suggestions that could improve the final regulation. He expressed hope that the measure would go beyond setting out general principles and deliver direct benefits to people who work as farmers. The public input, officials said, is intended to support more effective farmer empowerment in Banjarmasin.

“

There was very meaningful input for perfecting the regulation later.