Jokowi Receives FAO’s Prestigious Agricola Medal for Contributions to Food Security
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has been honored with the Agricola Medal, the highest accolade in the food sector, awarded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The prestigious medal was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu during a ceremony held at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
In his acceptance speech, President Jokowi expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is an honor for me. Indonesia is fully aware of the importance of food sovereignty and independence. Food is a basic human need that cannot be postponed or ignored.” He emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure food availability and affordability for its citizens.
The president highlighted that food security remains a top priority for his administration, particularly in light of global uncertainties. He noted that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian agricultural sector managed to grow by 1.7 percent and contributed 12.5 percent to the national GDP in 2023.
Jokowi dedicated the Agricola Medal to Indonesia’s farmers, acknowledging their crucial role in strengthening the agricultural sector. He expressed hope that the award would inspire further contributions to global food security.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu praised Indonesia for its remarkable achievements amid global geopolitical tensions. He highlighted that the award symbolizes the strong collaboration between the FAO and Indonesia.
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman noted that President Jokowi is the second Indonesian leader to receive this award, following President Soeharto’s receipt of the Agricola Medal on November 10, 1984. Sulaiman underscored the achievement of food self-sufficiency during Jokowi’s tenure, noting that Indonesia has managed to avoid medium rice imports in several years, including 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Sulaiman thanked the nation’s farmers for their contributions and expressed optimism for continued improvements in food security. “I would like to thank our fellow farmers throughout Indonesia. Hopefully, our food security can be better,” he concluded.
