Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan encouraged strengthening Subulussalam City as a connector in the national food supply chain, given its position as a logistics distribution route linking Aceh and North Sumatra.He made the statement during a working visit here on Thursday (January 8, 2025), accompanied by Trade Minister Budi Santoso and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.“Subulussalam’s position is strategic in supporting the smooth interregional distribution of food. Therefore, the strengthening of its infrastructure and economic institutions needs to be accelerated,” Hasan said in a statement released here on Friday.During a dialogue with the regional leadership coordination forum, religious figures, and community leaders, the minister discussed efforts to strengthen regional food security through improvements in logistics infrastructure and disaster risk control.He highlighted the need to construct a canal for the Lae Soraya River as a flood control measure, as flooding has so far hampered agricultural production activities and food distribution for the community.The central government, he added, will follow up on proposals to strengthen transportation infrastructure in Subulussalam and Aceh Singkil to facilitate the flow of goods and improve distribution efficiency.In addition to physical infrastructure, Hasan also emphasized strengthening red-and-white village cooperatives (KDMP) to shorten the food distribution chain and strengthen the village economy.As of now, a total of 83,130 red-and-white village cooperatives have been established and obtained legal status and are being prepared to play a role in food distribution and absorption.“These cooperatives will also become part of the supply chain for the free nutritious meals (MBG) program, which targets 82.9 million beneficiaries starting in March 2026,” he said.