Prabowo to Focus on Agricultural Development

Jakarta (Antara) - Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has said he would focus on the development of agricultural sector if he is elected on the July 9 election as president. During the presidential debate, organized by General Election Commission (KPU) at Gran Melia Hotel on Sunday, Prabowo said the development of agricultural sector would absorb more workers to reduce the number of poverty and unemployment. "To reduce the number of poverty and unemployment, our focus is on agricultural development," Prabowo said, adding that one hectare of agricultural land would absorb at least six workers if superior seeds are used optimally. Besides, he said he would change 77 hectares of damaged forest land into productive land to improve economic competitiveness through agricultural sector. "Forest damage continues to happen but we will change part of them into productive land to create two million of new rice fields and two million other for bio-ethanol," he said. Prabowo added that four million hectares of new land with each hectare absorbs at least six workers, then 24 million new jobs can be created in the agricultural sector for the next five years. Therefore, he added that efforts to reduce unemployment will run effectively and public's productivity will increase, coupled with adequate incentive and remuneration system. (*)