PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - West Java Agricultural Instrument Standards Implementation Center (BPSIP) Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) of the Republic of Indonesia held a Competitive Partnership Cooperation Socialization (KREATIF) Competitive Grant Program ICARE (Integrated Company for Empowerment of Agricultural Resources) West Java, in the Hall of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) Garut Regency, Tuesday (27/02/2024).

The ICARE program, in the form of a standardized integrated agricultural area, is present in nine provinces in Indonesia, including Garut Regency, West Java. To support sustainable and inclusive regional management and agricultural commodity value chains, ICARE is also aiming at modernization, digitalization and the application of modern and digital agricultural concepts at the farmer level.

Chair of the West Java Agricultural Instrument Standardization Agency (BSIP) Dissemination Working Group Team, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Darojat Prawiranagara, explained that in the ICARE program in Garut Regency, three agencies will be the lead sectors, namely the Agriculture Service, the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Service, and the Cooperative and Business Service Micro Small.

Darojat added that the public could propose proposals regarding commodities to be developed, with a focus on Garut potato and sheep farming. This program was initiated two years ago, with the hope that it can be implemented starting this year.

"Yesterday I also received news from Unila, from other universities, it has been submitted, because this is open to the public, it could be from Unila that the proposal is related to potatoes, if the proposal is good it can help ICARE West Java," he said.

ICARE's indicators of success include increasing production by up to 30 percent and increasing revenue by up to 80 percent in the next three years. This program prioritizes business for farmers with the hope of providing extraordinary results.

"Because this is based on a cooperative where business is prioritized for farmers, farmers' business developments must be able to take advantage of ICARE," he said.

Garut Bappeda Secretary, Agus Kurniawan, explained, ICARE is a collaboration and synergy between agricultural business actors, where all components of society can participate in the ICARE program with proposals that are in line with the established business plans.

In Garut Regency, this program will be implemented in five locations, namely in Cikajang, Cigedug, Sukaresmi, Cisurupan and Pasirwangi Districts. The deadline for submitting proposals is the first week of March, for review by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture team.

"We hope that elements of society, including local government, community, academics, can participate in making proposals related to the ICARE program," he said. (rdp*)