"This year, the production is almost certain to increase again. Our production target this year is 380,000 tons," Trie said here.
In 2014 , the corn grain production of the Central Sulawesi farmers totaled around 170,000 tons, up to 200,000 tons in 2017, he said.
He attributed the increase in production to rice, corn and soybean special second crop program launched by the agriculture ministry.
The special second crop program has encouraged the farmers in the province to focus more on growing food crops, he said, adding the farmers are especially encourage to grow corn.
He said all districts in Central Sulawesi grow corn but three districts ares in Central Sulawesi including Tojo Una-una, Poso and Buol had become corn production centers.
Other districts growing corn include Sigi, Donggala, Parigi Moutong, Banggai, Tolitoli, Morowali and Morowali Utara.
The province also had recorded an increase in the production of rice and soybean , which have the priority crops encouraged by the government.
"Central Sulawesi is already self sufficient in rice supply. In the near future , we hope to be self sufficient also in corn and soybean," Trie said.
The agriculture ministry relies much on Central Sulawesi to contribute to the country`s program of food self sufficiency, he said.
He said Central Sulawesi has the potential to contribute significantly to the government`s self sufficiency program in food supply, adding the province still has wide open land for expansion of farm lands.
This year, the province hope to grow rice in 267,353 hectares of rice fields, corn in 121,065 hectares of corn field and soybean in 34,253 hectares plantations.
The prices of corn in the province is around Rp5,000/kg, soybean around Rp8,000/kg and rice (medium) Rp9,000/kg and premium Rp12,500/kg.
Reporting by Anas Masa
Editing by A Saragih, Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
