JAKARTA - The Acting Regent of Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Roby Kurniawan, targets the area to become a center or paradise for sorghum plants in Indonesia.
"Later on, we can use it to plant sorghum on an area of 100 hectares in the Bintan area," said Roby Kurniawan after the sorghum harvest in Toapaya District, Bintan, quoted from Antara, Monday, January 17.
According to him, the local government is currently developing sorghum seeds covering an area of 20 hectares.
On that occasion, Roby really appreciated the sorghum farmers, who with an area of 1 hectare can harvest at least 3 tons of sorghum.
Even the results of processed sorghum products are planned to be exported to neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore.
"We are very confident that the marketing of sorghum products is wide open to foreign countries," said Acting Regent Roby after the sorghum harvest.
He explained the development of agricultural sorghum as one of the local government's efforts to make Bintan a sorghum center area, as well as to improve the economy of farmers in the region.
Sorghum is a versatile crop that can be used as a food source. Sorghum is in fifth place after wheat, corn, rice and barley.
"This sorghum plant is very profitable for farmers, because not only the fruit can be used but also the stems can be processed into various products of pastries, cakes, drinks, and other products that are rich in benefits," he said.
Separately, the Head of the Riau Islands Province Food Security, Agriculture and Animal Health (DKP2KH) Rika Azmi said that the sorghum in Toapaya, Bintan had been sold to entrepreneurs, who were able to manage the seeds through simple technology machines.
The price of sorghum sold by local farmers is quite high, one kilogram is sold for Rp. 4,000-Rp. 5,000.
"The most important homework is not only increasing production capacity, but also the market. High demand will increase the attractiveness of farmers to plant sorghum," he said.
Rika explained that the economic value of sorghum plants does not only rely on seeds, but the roots and leaves are also useful. Sorghum roots can be used as medicinal ingredients, while the leaves are used as tea ingredients.
"There are many benefits of this plant," he said.
In order to cultivate sorghum in the Riau Islands, according to him, various parties, including other agencies, are needed to showcase products made from sorghum to the public. The neatly arranged location of sorghum farming also has the potential to attract public attention, so that it can be used as a tourist area.
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