Agricom.id, DEPOK - Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL)visited the head quarter of Komando Distrik Militer Depok 0508 to see in person the rice help through anjungan tunai mandiri (ATM) Pertanian Si Komandan running well.

SYL said that the rice ATM is the cooperation among ministry of agriculture, the army, and some partners.

“This is our call to make the country be there, the presence of togetherness, the nationality when corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic like this and the people need it,” he said in the head quarter of army, Sunday (26/4/2020) as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

He thought that Covid-19 is not only about health but also life.

“At the point, the issues are that the availability and food access for the minor people,” he said.

He did appreciate the support that Chief of Army, General Army Andika Perkasa who let the 10 army offices to distribute the rice for the minor people.

He also mentioned that the government gave lots of helps both through the ministry of social, regional governments, and others. But the rice ATM, he continued, would be for those who do not get the helps when Covid-19 pandemic.

“Chief of Army and I try the best to reach out these people, the poor who might not get the helps around us. The ATM would be for 1 thousand me. Every time the card is swiped, there would be 1,5 kilograms of rice,” SYL said.

One who got the help, Erfa, the 46 year old – mother of Village of Parung Bingung, Sub district of Pancoran Mas said that she should buy the rice around her house. She thought that though the rice does not get more expensive, at least, she could divert the money to buy others.

"Alhamdulillah, this is very useful for the people like us. Thank you, Minister SYL,” she said.

Besides visiting the head quarter, SYL and his officers planned to visit other office in District of Bogor 0621 and City of Bogor 0606.

He hoped that the ATM Pertanian Si Komandan could be developed in other places to have more people to get it.

“No matter what we give, hopefully, it would be useful. We hope that we could pass through the pandemic and happy fasting,” he ended. (A2)