They routinely harvest vegetables and watermelons that are sold to residents every weekend

Thousand Islands Maritime, Agriculture and Food Security (KPKP) Sub-agency is developing agriculture sector in a bid to realize food security in its region. One way to do this is to foster residents in each village to become a farmer group.

Thousand Islands KPKP Sub-agency Head Devi Riana Sumanthi said, besides fisheries and the tourism sector, agriculture could be an alternative livelihood for residents while maintaining food security.

"We make a coached farmer group on each residential island. Afterwards we will use their lands where we will support them through seeds and capital. Thus they can enjoy the results," she expressed, on the sidelines of monitoring and coaching the Women Farmers Group (KWT) on residential islands along with the vice regent, Wednesday (7/22).

She furthered crop and fruit products from six groups of women farmers on residential islands and two groups of farmers on Payung Island that develop hydroponic and conventional agriculture (land), was able to meet the needs of residents and produce economic value.

"They routinely harvest vegetables and watermelons that are sold to residents every weekend," she explained.

In the meantime, Thousand Islands Vice Regent Junaedi asserted the pandemic should not be used as an obstacle to remain productive and creative. He was sure, food security could be maintained with the seriousness of the farmer groups in farming.

"So we ask for more creativity, gradually switching to agriculture rather than just relying on fishermen," he stressed.