JAKARTA - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has allocated Rp 1.01 trillion for a social assistance programme aimed at farming groups around forest areas. The money is sourced from the ministry's budget refocusing and reallocation.
According to Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, the ministry has saved around Rp 1.58 billion from the 2020 State Budget, lowering the ministry's overall budget from Rp 9.32 trillion to Rp 7.74 trillion
"We would like to convey our appreciation to the House of Representatives' Commission IV for their cooperation and support for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, especially during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic," said Ms Bakar in an official statement, Thursday (16/4).
The budget will be used to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in purchasing herbal products such as honey from forest farming groups and social forestry entrepreneur groups. Herbal products from the said groups will be distributed to medical personnel in COVID-19 referral hospitals.
"The budget will also be used to procure disinfectant-spraying vehicles and develop People's Seed Gardens, Rural Seed Gardens, and Productive Seed Gardens as well as other labour intensive activities," said Ms Bakar. (LK/MS)