REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAMBI -- Jambi province will make every effort to continue improving its agricultural sector by increasing rice production in accordance with the national target, noted Governor Hasan Basri Agus.
"We have set a target for the farmers to produce one million tons of rice," the governor claimed after opening the Coordination Meeting On National Rice Production Enhancement here on Wednesday.
In response to a statement from Agriculture Ministry's Director General for Food Crops Udhoro Kasih Anggoro regarding rice production of over five percent per year, the Jambi governor remarked that several farmlands in the province will be used for rice cultivation.
According to the governor, a number of districts in Jambi will open new farmlands, procure seeds, and increase the number of agricultural extension officers and pest observers.
Governor Hasan Basri explained that the agricultural sub-sector significantly contributed to the economy in several regions including the Jambi province.
Meanwhile, Udhoro Kasih Anggoro said rice demand of three million tons per month for the Indonesian people should be met with the national rice production target of 10 million tons.
"The farmers should be encouraged to provide rice for three months until the next harvest," Anggoro affirmed.
Lack of manpower in the agricultural sector remains an obstacle, although rice prices were good enough, Anggoro noted.