REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, EAST LOMBOK -- The Ministry of Agriculture appeals to all sections of the society to assist the ministry in solving the problems related to agriculture, stated Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman.

"Students, lecturers or researchers, farmer groups, governors, regents, and village heads should be involved in handling various agricultural problems," Sulaiman noted after observing several dairy farms, irrigation, and fertilizer factories here on Wednesday.

The ministry has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with various universities in Indonesia to collaborate in overcoming the problems encountered in the agriculture sector.

Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Lampung University (UNILA), and University of Brawijaya (UB) have signed the MoU with the ministry.

"There are about five thousand students who are ready to help. We also involving some lecturers and researchers to provide counseling to the farmers," the minister remarked.

Moreover, the ministry is working with the Andalan Farmers and Fishermen's Group (KTNA), Field Agricultural Instructors (PPL), and Farmers Union Group (Gapoktan).

Sulaiman has also ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to deploy an officer in each district to directly oversee the problems that exist in order to tackle them at the earliest.

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is the 21st province that the minister has visited in an effort to offer assistance to the farmers across Indonesia and to inch closer to the target of achieving food self-sufficiency as envisioned by President Joko Widodo.

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