Minister Of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo Panen Raya Perdana Padi In Karawang

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo carried out the initial rice harvest in 2023 in Karawang Regency, West Java, which is a national rice production center with production of 8 tons per hectare.

"We are here together with the Deputy Regent of Karawang and the Ministry of Agriculture, to start the 2023 rice harvest. In Jayakerta District, the rice harvest area is 2,000 hectares and the extraordinary harvest is 8 tons per hectare," Minister Syahrul said in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, January 10.

Syahrul said that Karawang is one of the producers of rice and its harvest greatly affects the national rice stock.

The Minister of Agriculture said that based on the prognosis or BPS estimates, the rice harvest area in February 2023 reached 1.4 million hectares and the peak harvest took place in March-April.

He said that if the rice productivity is 6 tons per hectare, it is estimated that there will be approximately 4 million tons of rice production. So, he said, it proves that there is a rice harvest with abundant rice production or availability.

"During the last three years, nature in Indonesia has been very friendly and in 2023 of course there will be challenges to extreme climate change so that after the harvest for a maximum of 14 days, planting must be prepared again immediately. We hope to plant three times a year, namely rice and pawija or vice versa. Then we will strengthen the food logistics system," said Syahrul.

The Minister of Agriculture also said that rice fields that were flooded and puso were still below the threshold because they were below 2 percent. Especially in Karawang, said Syahrul, rice productivity reaches 8 tons per hectare, from the usual only 5 to 6 tons.

Syahrul hopes that Perum Bulog can absorb grain in the main harvest season in early 2023 so that national rice reserves are strong and can control rice prices in the market.

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul emphasized the government's efforts to increase agricultural commodity production, especially rice with People's Business Credit (KUR) funds.

"This KUR is President Jokowi's policy to accelerate agricultural development and help farmers themselves. For this reason, the banking sector must accelerate access to KUR to farmers and so must local governments in the field to encourage agriculture and farmers. We are optimistic that the initial rice harvest in 2023 will meet national needs," he said.

The rice harvest area of Karawang Regency in January was 18,103 hectares with a productivity of 8 tons per hectare, and the price of unhulled rice at the farmer level was in the range of Rp. 6,000 to 6,100 per kg.