Jokowi Praises Food Estate Results In Keerom Papua But Still Gives Notes

President Jokowi on the sidelines visited the corn field in the food estate area in Keerom Regency, Papua, Thursday (6/7/2023). (ANTARA)

PAPUA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) praised the yield of corn fields in the food estate area of Wambes Village, Keerom Regency, Papua. However, there is a note that the head of state was also given.

Jokowi admits that there are still some corn that results are less than optimal, but this is considered reasonable considering that the land in the area is only the first time it has been processed and used to plant corn.

"Indeed, this is the first time, don't think directly that the results are very high, but this results are already very high because it is approximately 7 tons per hectare," Jokowi said in a press statement on the sidelines of a review broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, July 6.

Based on the results of the evaluation with the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, the Regent of Keerom Piter Gusbager, and the farmers, the President said that the results were not optimal due to the excessive water allocation.

"So it was evaluated that the ditch had to be reduced from 12 (meters) to 5 or 6 meters," said Jokowi, quoted by Antara.

However, the President stressed that the corn harvest reviewed in Keerom had exceeded the national maize production average.

"The national marker is 5.6 tons per hectare, this is already 7 (tons per hectare), because I see the land is very fertile, but the water needs to be managed properly," he said.

The President stated that he would continue to monitor the performance of corn production at Keerom's food estate to ensure the maximum possible results, including the 45 hectare planting area which is projected to enter the harvest period in September.

"If it's true, it's only been thousands of hectares. We don't need thousands directly, we do need stages because this is the first time this land has been processed and used for corn," he said.

The President added that the harvested corn already has a buyer with a price range of IDR 5,000-IDR 6,000 per kilogram.

According to the President, the price is already very high compared to the cost of its production.

"This means that if 7 tons per hectare times Rp. 6,000 (per kg), it means that it is already Rp. 42 (million) per hectare, be careful, if we have one thousand (hectares) it means Rp. 42 billion. Very big, for only three months or 100 days," he said.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the review were Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Special Staff to President Billy Mambrasar, Plh. Governor of Papua Ridwan Ruikutun, and Regent of Keerom Piter Gusbager.