Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – After being re-appointed as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Andi Amran Sulaiman immediately targeted rice production by the end of 2023 to reach 3.5 million tons. This is in line with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)’s orders to himself to increase domestic rice production.
“We have given a target of 5 months, if possible, in November (rice production) of 1.5 million tonnes, then next month at least 2 million tonnes. That must be achieved. That is absolute,” said Amran when met by journalists at the Ministry of Agriculture office. (Ministry of Agriculture) Jakarta, Friday (27/10/2023).
The strategy that is being implemented to boost production targets, explained Amran, is by gathering heads of departments throughout Indonesia from districts to provinces, to find out where the land can be planted with rice.
Apart from that, the Ministry of Agriculture will also provide seeds that are ready to plant to be distributed to farmers.
“Hopefully there are seeds available now for 50,000 hectares. Whoever plants quickly will have the seeds ready. We have to catch up with the start of the rainy season,” he continued.
 Photo: Workers pack food supply and price stabilization (SPHP) rice at the Bulog warehouse at the Jakarta Banten Regional Office in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023). SPHP Rice aims to reduce the price of rice on the market. (CNBC Indonesia/Faisal Rahman)Workers pack food supply and price stabilization (SPHP) rice at the Bulog warehouse at the Jakarta Banten Regional Office in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023). SPHP Rice aims to reduce the price of rice on the market. (CNBC Indonesia/Faisal Rahman) |
Another strategy is to improve the distribution of fertilizer distribution to farmers so that it is right on target.
“Later we will fix the fertilizer. It’s actually simple, if farmers shout for fertilizer, (that) production will fall, (and) production will be hampered,” he said.
With collaboration from various parties, Amran believes the production target of 3.5 million tons can be achieved. He also reminded that if there is a problem with food, it will cause tremendous social upheaval, because food matters are a matter for the stomachs of all Indonesian people.
“We should be careful with food, this is a matter for the people’s stomachs, not just the people, all of us. If this is a problem, there could be tremendous social unrest, so we have to take care of it. But thank God now, the position is safe, the stock is there,” concluded Amran .
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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