TAKALAR (February 12, 2020) - The Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P Batubara, accompanied by the Director General for Handling Poverty, Andi ZA Dulung, paid a working visit to Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi Province. This visit was in the context of socialization and at the same time reviewing the distribution of the basic food program for the first time in Takalar District.

"In the past 110 thousand could only buy rice and eggs, now 150 thousand can be added with other food ingredients such as chicken, tempeh and tofu and vegetables," explained the Social Minister.

In addition to this, he also gave a message to Beneficiary Families (KPM) to immediately graduate and not depend on social assistance so that KPM can live in prosperity immediately.

Then in the next direction the Minister of Social Affairs stated that the hard work of both the Central Government and the Regional Government in building synergy and integration between the government and local governments as well as with all stakeholders has resulted in a reduction in the current poverty rate of 9.22% (24.79 million people) September 2019 where in March 2019 it was 9.41% as released by BPS.

One of the supports for reducing the poverty rate comes from the accuracy of targeting in providing social assistance to KPM as implemented in the 2020 Basic Food Program, where the basic food program policy set by the President aims to reduce the burden on KPM expenses.

To reduce the burden of KPM expenditure, this is done by fulfilling a portion of the food needs and providing a more balanced nutrition to KPM to prevent stunting. Prevention of stunting through the Staple Food program is carried out by using foodstuffs by KPM to fulfill nutrition during the First 1000 Days of Life (HPK) starting from pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged 6-23 months.

During his visit to Takalar, apart from witnessing the Distribution of the Basic Food Program, the Minister of Social Affairs also inaugurated the Social Rehabilitation Workshop for Drug Abuse Victims "Reduce" in Takalar Regency.