PAPUA - President Joko Widodo has prepared up to 10 thousand hectares of crop land in the food estate of Keerom Regency, Papua Province. In Wambes Village, Mannem District, the land will be prepared for corn planting.
This was conveyed by Jokowi when he visited the food barn and planted corn seeds in Keerom Regency, Papua.
"We in Keerom Regency, Papua Province, here will prepare approximately 10 thousand hectares for corn planting. But what is planted today is only 100 hectares," said the President in a statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, March 21.
Jokowi explained that the government has prepared free land to be processed covering an area of 500 hectares, then the expansion of land in 2024 to 2,500 hectares.
Flat soil conditions become suitable for corn planting with production reaching 4-5 tons per hectare, or below the productivity of Java Island which reaches 10-11 tons per hectare.
"Later we will see how many tons of the initial corn harvest in June 2023 per hectare but if we look at the food estate location because the land is flat so it is expected to reach 4-5 tons," he said.
Indeed, for once planting does not produce 10-11 tons immediately. Usually, after planting the third, you can see good harvest.
"I have also reminded the Regent of Keerom Piter Gusbager that in corn farming everything must be clear like buyers, who did the drying and the price must all be clear," he said again.
Furthermore, the matter of buyers or offtakers from the corn harvest must be determined, as well as post-harvest handling, so that farmers are not harmed.
Jokowi also ordered the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and the Regent of Keerom Piter Gusbager to ensure that buyers (offtakers) and selling prices benefit farmers and are reasonable for farmers.
Jokowi assessed that the need for corn for animal feed supply in Papua is still lacking, both for laying hens, broilers, as well as for pigs and cows.
Therefore, the President encourages the results of corn planting in the food estate to be utilized optimally to meet the needs of animal feed in Papua.
"If it is brought to Java, the cost is quite expensive, so it must be used for the land of Papua, Papua and West Papua," he said.
Also accompanying the President in the activity were Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Plh. Papua Governor Muhammad Ridwan Ruikutun, and Keerom Regent Piter Gusbager.
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