Jambi Community Asked Not To Convert Rice Fields To Palm Oil Plantations

The Governor of Jambi asked the community not to change the function of land in order to realize rice self-sufficiency in Jambi Province. (Antara/HO/Diskominfo Jambi Province)

JAMBI - Jambi Governor Al Haris asked the community not to change the function of land from rice fields to oil palm plantations. The goal is that the region can achieve self-sufficiency in rice.

"The hope is that the community does not change the function of the land, especially in the Simpang Limo Bird's Nest Village, Muaro Jambi Regency, so that it can help rice self-sufficiency in Jambi Province," said Al Haris in Jambi, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 23.

The Jambi Provincial Government has announced that the region will be able to achieve self-sufficiency in rice, considering the availability of land for agriculture, especially rice fields. In Simpang Limo Bird's Nest Village, there are 120 hectares of rice fields. The hope is that the land can be maintained and the people in the area are able to make the land effective for agriculture.

To help the community increase rice production, the Jambi Provincial Government through the two billion one sub-district program allocates funds for agriculture. Such as financial assistance for river normalization, rice field irrigation, village infrastructure development and others.

"The village head can also submit a proposal to the Jambi Provincial Government to ask for help and the Jambi Provincial Government is ready to help," said Al Haris. (Advanced, Safe, Comfortable, Orderly, Trustworthy and Professional) under the Ridho of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, with the second mission of strengthening the community and regional economy.

In addition, Al Haris also appreciated the traditional alms payo activity carried out by the Simpang Limo Bird's Nest Village, Muaro Jambi Regency. According to Al Haris, these activities have positive values for the community.

Because the activity is a local wisdom that teaches mutual assistance, mutual cooperation, maintaining and increasing social awareness, deliberation in making decisions and praying before carrying out work, especially before planting rice.

"The Jambi Provincial Government is very supportive of Alms Payo and is ready to help facilitate farmer groups through the Jambi Province Horticultural Food Crops and Livestock Service. The Central Government, Provincial Government, and Regency and City Governments pay great attention to realizing self-sufficiency and food security, especially rice self-sufficiency, because Farmers are the spearhead in realizing rice self-sufficiency," Al Haris explained.