TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo mandated Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to lead the development of the food estate project in Central Kalimantan.

“Because this is about our strategic food reserves, the leading sector will be under the authority of Mr. Defense Minister with support from Agriculture Minister and Public Works and Public Housing Minister. Of course, we also expect support from governors and regents of the regions,” said the President via a teleconference in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan, Thursday, July 9.

He hoped with the strategic food reserves, Indonesia would not experience food shortage and have reserves under any condition.

“We must manage it thoroughly. If the country faces a food shortage, it will be supplied from here. It can be rice, cassava, corn, or chili. All will be managed, and if we have excessive supply, we will export it to other countries,” the state head added.

Today, the President along with Prabowo inspected the location of the food estate project in Bentuk Jaya Village, Dadahup District, Kapuas Regency.

The government planned to develop 20,704-hectare new farmlands in Kapuas Regency. 5,840 hectares of which were already functioned as farmlands.

In total, there would be around 165,000 hectares of potential farmlands in Central Kalimantan to be turned into the national food estate. To date, some 85,500 hectares have been functioned as productive farmlands.

Read: Jokowi, Prabowo Visit Location of Food Estate Project

DEWI NURITA