Tens Of Tons Of Rice Projected To Be Necessities At KIHI

The Indonesian Green Industry (KIHI) area in Tanah Kuning-Mangkupadi, Tanjung Palas Timur, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara), is projected to absorb more than 100 thousand workers.

Therefore, basic needs for workers in industrial areas have also increased, such as rice needs.

"If 100 thousand workers need rice for 1 worker with a need of 0.3 kilograms of rice per day, it can reach 30 tons per day," said Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Bulungan Regency, Risdianto, Wednesday, December 13.

The projection portrait is considered to be a challenge for food security in Bulungan Regency. Given the average number of rice rice production in Bulungan is 4 tons per hectare.

"This means that local agricultural production is not enough for food needs there (KIHI) Tanah Kuning," he said.

Risdianto said that all parties, especially farmers, can change their mindset, namely planting rice not only for personal consumption needs, but also as a source of economic livelihood.

"We have to change the mindset of planting just to eat, so that farmers are more motivated to develop agricultural commodities," he said.

Meanwhile, based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), local rice production in Bulungan has decreased this year (2023). The decline rate reached 757 tons, or from 6,892 tons to 6,134 tons.

This decrease in rice production also occurred in Regencies/Cities in Kaltara.

Seperti di Kabupaten Nunukan sebesar 2,832 ton, atau dari 7,674 ton menjadi 4,842 ton.

The decrease in rice in Tana Tidung was 91.96 tons, or from 336 tons to 244 tons. Tarakan City was 8.27 tons, or from 36.52 tons to 28.25 tons.

However, in Malinau Regency, it is the only area that recorded rice production growth, but the percentage is relatively small below one percent. Rice production in this area rose by 23 tons, or from 3,161 tons to 3,185 tons.