Pontianak (Antaranews Kalbar) - Mempawah district, West Kalimantan province doing rice farming movement in 15 thousand hectares of dry land.
The movement started with rice planting in Wajok Hilir Village, Siantan sub-district by Momon Rusmono as Chief of Agricultural Extension Human Resource Development Agency of Ministry of Agriculture, Heronimus Hero as Chief of West Kalimantan Agriculture of Food Crops and Horticulture Office along with Mempawah District Functionary and Military District Commander 1201/Mempawah.
"I am here because this dry land rice farming is a Ministry program and this year there is one million hectares of dry land. The extraordinary one is Chief of West Kalimantan Agriculture offices audaciously guarantee from one million hectares of it, as many as 150 thousand hectares handled by the Province of West Kalimantan, " said Momon Rusmono in Mempawah on Thursday.
From 15 thousand hectares of 150 thousand hectares located in Mempawah. "This is the reason I present here and I hope my presence can affect the achievement of the special efforts (Upsus) Additional farming areas for other districts in West Kalimantan," he said.
On that occasion, Buntaran as the Chief of Mempawah District of Agricultural office declare the Special efforts for Additional rice dry land farming in Mempawah district not only 15 thousand hectares but be able to reach 20 thousand hectares.
"West Kalimantan in the first eight month is always having a rice surplus but in March- April is a bit unstable. However Insha Allah, I believe it can be overcome, so I request in this May, the 15 thousand hectares of land can planted," he said.
Momon urge Mempawah district government to guard these 15 thousand hectares of rice farming. "To the director if the rice farming on these 15 thousand hectares of land is successful. In June-July can held a priority program for farmers in Mempawah district," he said.
According to him, the Special effort for Additional rice farming is very important in order to prevent the occurrence of imports. There is one task from minister of agriculture. "I am assigned by the minister that this special effort besides for Additional farming land also affects to the harvest areas. However I remind for the extension workers do not forget that production is for planting and the increased of productivity. This is also becomes the extension workers responsibility in helping this task," he said.
He also mentioned to the extension workers for not only planting but also pay attention to the productivity. So the rice production can increase. While in Wajok Hilir Village they are already farmers who are able to produce 5 tons and there are farmers who only can produce 3 tons in one hectare.
"It is means the one who only can produce 3 tons in one hectare have not applying the agricultural technology properly. I hope our hard work will increase the productivity from 3 tons into 4 tons with the help of extension workers and using aids such as hand tractor," he said.
Editor : Teguh Imam Wibowo
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