Deputy Minister of Social Affairs reinforces the cooperation with independent farmers to overcome poverty

Jakarta – Deputy Minister of Social Affairs (Wamensos), Agus Jabo Priyono invited the National Leadership Council (DPN) of Tani Merdeka to work together in attempts to eradicate poverty, especially for Indonesian farmers. This invitation was conveyed while receiving an audience at Tani Merdeka management at the Ministry of Social Affairs. “The Ministry of Social Affairs knows that we cannot eradicate poverty alone. So we work with parties outside the Ministry of Social Affairs,” Agus said in a written statement on Monday (13/10/2025). He explained that the direction of the Ministry of Social Affairs in the future will experience a shift of social protection and security to the empowerment of the community. This change is in line with the guidance of President Prabowo Subianto to encourage people to be more independent and not dependent on social assistance. Browse to continue the content “In this independence program, the Ministry of Social Affairs cannot do it alone, so we work with the private sector,” he said. Agus added that by 2029 President Prabowo was aimed at the national poverty level to be below 5 percent. To reach this target, a number of instruments and programs have changed, one of which is through the formation of the Coordinating Ministry of Community Empowerment. “If Tani Merdeka can be involved in the empowerment program, we will work together,” he said. He explained that about 52 percent of poor people work on the national socio-economic single data (DTSEN) as agricultural laborers, most of whom live on the island of Java. “Statistical logic, agricultural workers can intervene, be able to decline poverty,” he explained. Meanwhile, DPN Tani Merdeka General Don Muzakir said his organization has a number of programs to improve the well -being of farmers, ranging from advocacy, coaching, mentoring. “Farm workers are people whose salaries are uncertain. We want to fight for farm workers to have a local minimum wage (UMR) standard,” Don said. In addition, Tani Merdeka also oversees the distribution of agricultural tools and machinery (Alsintan), including ensuring that government’s help is right. ‘Sometimes it is sold. Don’t let people ask for help every year, ‘he continued. Don added that his party also monitored fertilizer problems and developed a wheat and chili intercourse program in poor areas as a form of empowering village communities. “We are ready to work with the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he concluded. (PRF/EGA)