Central Kalimantan Strengthens Agricultural Human Resources to Cultivate Rice Fields

Palangka Raya Kartininews.com – The Central Kalimantan Provincial Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of vocational education and student internships on newly developed rice field land in Central Kalimantan.

The signing took place at Istana Isen Mulang, the Official Residence of the Governor of Central Kalimantan, on Tuesday evening (12/5/2026).

Governor of Central Kalimantan Agustiar Sabran stated that Central Kalimantan has great potential to support national food security and achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency.

According to him, this collaboration represents a commitment by both central and regional governments to support President Prabowo’s Asta Cita program, particularly in the food self-sufficiency sector.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding is a strategic milestone in strengthening agricultural human resources in Central Kalimantan,” said Agustiar.

He emphasized that agricultural development requires not only land and infrastructure support but also superior, skilled, adaptive, and professional human resources.

Through vocational agricultural education, the government hopes to create professional agricultural personnel capable of supporting the rice field development program, the formation of modern Food Brigades, and strengthening the link between higher education and field practice through internships.

Agustiar also stressed the importance of following up the memorandum with concrete actions in the field.

“With superior human resources, our agriculture will advance, food security will be realized, and the people of Central Kalimantan will become more prosperous,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Agricultural Land and Irrigation at the Ministry of Agriculture RI, Hermanto, said the collaboration is focused on supporting the optimization of the rice field development program until 2026.

He explained that the target for new rice field construction in Central Kalimantan is around 30,000 hectares in 2025 and around 10,000 hectares in 2026.

“We hope the developed rice fields can be utilized optimally and sustainably. One of the breakthroughs by the Governor is the development of vocational education, so that the rice fields can serve as direct practical locations for students,” he revealed.

Head of the Agricultural Extension and Human Resource Development Agency (BPPSDMP) of the Ministry of Agriculture RI, Idha Widi Arsanti, appreciated the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government’s initiative in developing agricultural vocational education.

According to her, the program opens opportunities for local youth to receive education focused on swamp land agriculture cultivation, which is one of the Ministry of Agriculture’s priorities.

“Through this vocational education, the community will be equipped with skills in cultivation, agribusiness, agricultural mechanization, as well as modern financial management and marketing,” she explained.

She added that participants will also be trained to use modern agricultural tools and machinery, including agricultural drones and combine harvesters.

Rector of Muhammadiyah University of Palangka Raya, Muhammad Yusuf, stated that academics are ready to support the program through modern technology-based agricultural education that is more appealing to the younger generation.

“We want to deliver more practical and adaptive learning in line with the development of agricultural technology, such as the use of drones and other digital innovations,” he said.

The vocational education program will be technically managed by the Muhammadiyah Community Academy Palangka Raya under the auspices of Muhammadiyah University of Palangka Raya.

The event was also attended by Acting Secretary of Central Kalimantan Province Linae Victoria Aden, heads of provincial government agencies, and representatives from relevant vertical institutions.