Palembang – President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto officially launched the Indonesian Planting Movement (Gerina) in Banyuasin Regency. This initiative is part of a strategic effort to strengthen national food security while realizing the ideals of food self-sufficiency. In this activity, President Prabowo also carried out a mass planting as a symbol of the start of this movement that involves all elements of society.
Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, said that Gerina is a real step by the government in planting, growing, and harvesting food crops through mutual cooperation.
“This movement is expected to encourage food self-sufficiency and strengthen national food security in the future,” he said.
This movement was pioneered by Ustaz Adi Hidayat with the full support of the government, especially through strategic direction from Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, as a form of synergy between the government and community leaders. This idea was born from the spirit to increase community participation in strengthening national food security through collective awareness that continues to grow.
“We contacted the Deputy Minister of Agriculture last January to discuss the role of clerics and the community in supporting the national strategic program. The result was the birth of Gerina,” he said.
Uniquely, this movement is not only based on socio-religious issues, but is also structured through a scientific approach. Ustaz Adi and his team conducted research in Korea, Japan, and Egypt to compile an academic paper as a guide for proper planting. One of the outstanding successes is the management of Red and Yellow Podsolic (PMK) land, which was initially considered infertile, successfully planted with various food commodities such as rice, corn, and cassava through an innovative method and fertilizer called “Pupuk Pancasila”.
In his remarks, President Prabowo expressed his appreciation for Ustaz Adi’s national vision.
“I am happy today to see a visionary cleric who does not only think for his people, but also for the entire nation. He is an Islamic leader with a Pancasila insight that embraces all people,” he said.
The President emphasized that food security is the key to Indonesia’s revival. He invited all Indonesian people to participate in Gerina in order to build a country with food sovereignty.
“Imagine if all the people are willing to plant, then we will not be afraid of starvation. This is a form of independence that we must realize together,” he said.
Through Gerina, the government hopes to create a resilient and inclusive food ecosystem, where all people, without exception, become the main actors in building the future of Indonesian food. [^]
