Prabowo to Reinforce Food Sector

Malang, E Java (Antara) - Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto said he will reinforce if elected the country's food sector through the application of technology to increase production, especially the production of staple food. "We have to build awareness of how to develop the country's agricultural sector. The other sectors are also important as balancing factors, but the basis must remain the agricultural sector," Prabowo said in front of thousands of participants of a National Week of the Farmers and Fishermen's Society (KTNA) here on Friday. He said it was useless for Indonesia to have many cities and great weapons, but no rice and food in the soldiers' backpacks. "You can imagine whether we can go to war if there is no rice in the soldiers' backpacks. Enough rice and food stuff will develop Indonesia into a great country feared by other countries," he said. To create that Indonesia must be self-sufficient in food and becoming self-sufficient in food is a must. Food is not the usual economic commodity because people can stay alive without cars or airplanes or luxurious buildings. Without rice or food or having nothing to eat will destroy the state. On the occasion, Prabowo also thanked farmers and fishermen as when he served in the army it was the farmers and fishermen who provided him with food during his service in the field. Therefore, if he is selected to carry out the people's mandate to lead the country, he will fight for the interest of farmers and fishermen. (*)