RI's 80th Anniversary, PTPN IV PalmCo Bantu Bibit Padi Gogo 110 Ha

PTPN III (Persero) Plantation Holding through PTPN IV PalmCo Sub Holding helped strengthen regional food security at this momentum of independence, through the Gogo rice planting program on an area of 110 hectares (ha) in Pollung District, Humbahas Regency.

For your information, gogo rice is a type of rice planted on dry land, in contrast to rice fields planted on flooded fields.

This program involved 18 farmer groups with the total seed assistance provided by PalmCo reaching 3.7 tons.

The first planting activity of the gogo rice was attended by the Regent of Humbahas Oloan Paniaran Nababan together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), OPD ranks, and farmer groups in early August.

President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo Jatmiko Santosa said that the momentum of the Indonesian Independence Day strengthens the company's motivation to be a part of realizing food sovereignty on an ongoing basis.

"Through a partnership with local governments, we believe that the assistance of gogo rice seeds in Humbahas can be more effective for the community," said Jatmiko in an official statement, Sunday, August 17.

Jatmiko said this program itself is part of the PTPN Rice Plant program (TAMPAN) with the help of TJSL seeds.

"In the future, if we feel lacking, God willing, we are ready to help again," he said.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Humbahas Oloan Paniaran Nababan promised that his party would provide assistance to farmers. He also said he would regularly monitor until harvest time arrives.

"We see the direct benefits that will be received by the community, especially in increasing agricultural productivity and the standard of living of farmers. The government will monitor routinely so that this assistance is optimal to harvest," said Regent Oloan, in an official statement, Sunday, August 17.

Chairman of the DPRD Humbahas Parulian Simamora expressed his appreciation. He hopes that a similar program can be expanded to other villages.

"This is a concrete step to strengthen regional food security. In the future, we hope that the coverage will be wider and involve more farmers," he said.

Senada, Kepala Desa Parsingguran II Sabar Banjarnahor mengungkapkan rasa terima kasihnya atas bantuan PalmCo. Dia juga memastikan akan mengelola bantuan ini agar hasil panennya maksimal.

“Kami berkomitmen untuk mengelola bantuan benih ini sebaik mungkin agar hasil panen maksimal dan memberi dampak ekonomi nyata bagi warga,” ujarnya.

Similarly, the Village Head of Parsingguran II Sabar Banjarnahor expressed his gratitude for PalmCo's assistance. He also ensured that he would manage this assistance so that the maximum yield.

"We are committed to managing this seed assistance as well as possible so that the maximum harvest will have a real economic impact on the citizens," he said.