We have directly heard the complaints and inputs from farmers. These inputs certainly help the government to formulate and review policies implemented on the field
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) has been heedful of the rice farmers' aspirations in West Pasaman, West Sumatra, in accelerating biofortified rice production that is one of President Joko Widodo's national priority programs.

"We have directly heard the complaints and inputs from farmers. These inputs certainly help the government to formulate and review policies implemented on the field," Deputy III of the Presidential Staff Office Panutan Sulendrakusuma said in a press release here on Thursday.

Sulendrakusuma observed that five farming groups managed 100 hectares of biofortified rice land in West Pasaman. The seed planting has already begun in September, and the harvest season is expected to start next December.

The rice biofortification development and planting program in West Pasaman was welcomed by farmers.

Sulendrakusuma explained that biofortified rice had a high nutritional content, so it can help overcome iron deficiency among members of the community.

"Half of the biofortified rice production will be consumed, and the rest will be sold," one of the farmers, Hariadi, noted.

Hariadi is optimistic of the government facilitating and improving the irrigation system around his rice fields, so that in future, the harvest can occur thrice a year.

"Farmers also need agricultural machinery, such as transplanters, to reduce planting costs by 60 percent," he stated.

Biofortified rice cultivation, or "Inpari IR Nutri Zinc," has been conducted since 2020 in some regions, with a high prevalence of stunting among toddlers.

This year, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has targeted the cultivation of biofortified rice to expand to 46 hectares across 26 provinces.

The cultivation of rice varieties that contain mineral sources or Zinc (Zn) is a breakthrough in overcoming childhood stunting in Indonesia.

With zinc nutrition reaching 34.51 ppm, biofortified rice is claimed to be able to optimize the growth of children in terms of their height and weight.


Related news: Widodo urges local governments to speed up vaccinations

Related news: President reiterates commitment to leave fossil energy

Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021