REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- North Sumatra sets target for corn production at 1,628,149 tons this year, up from last year's target of 1,494,O50 tons.

"Last year production reached only 1,71,067 tons or far short of the target. But this year we are set to reach the target," head of the regional agriculture office M.Roem.S said here on Saturday.

The target is based on assumption that this year harvest areas would total 304,744 hectares with productivity of 53.43 quintal per ton.

This year, corn plantation is expected to reach 310,963 hectares in North Sumatra, he said.

"All problems last year such as extreme weather, are not expected to happen this year," he said, adding "therefore, we are convinced the production target could be reached."

He said we strongly hope that the target could be reached as corn consumption has increased in the province from year to year.

Demand has continued to increase especially from animal feed producers, he said.

He said production has always fallen short of requirement that animal feed factories have to rely more on imports for corn.

So far imports have come mainly from India, he said.

A corn grower Dirman, in Tanjung Morawa, Deliserdang, said the price of corn grain is quite good lately around Rp3,500 per kilogram.

Demand has increased since late 2013, he added.

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