The Banjar District head, Khalilurrahman said his administration is set to optimize utilization of unproductive lands including 100 hectares in the village of Pesayangan of the sub-district of Martapura.
"Conversion of swamp land into farm lands in the village of Pesayangan is expected to serve well as an example for other areas to utilize their swamp lands and tidal areas into productive lands, he said here recently.
He said the district of Banjar is a rice barn for South Kalimantan and with the conversion of swamp and tidal areas into farm fields, the district could contribute more to the government`s target of making the country self sufficient in food supply.
The status of the district of Banjar as a rice barn has to be maintained, he said.
Meanwhile, head of the Regional Food Crop and Horticulture Office M Fachry said the conversion of the unproductive lands into farm lands is a program of the Agriculture Ministry.
The Ministry will fully support the implementation of the program of conversion of 700 hectares of land including 500 hectares of swamp land and 200 hectares of tidal lands, in a number of sub-districts, he added.
Reporting by Yose Rizal
Editing A Saragih, Bustanuddin
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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