Currently, anything is done to maintain food security so that there is an even distribution of people's welfareJakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of the Presidential Staff Moeldoko has asked regional governments to increase the production of superior food crops.
“In Bima (West Nusa Tenggara), their maize is superior. This productivity must be further increased in order to maintain regional and national food security," he said while receiving Bima Mayor Muhammad Lutfi at the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, here on Tuesday.
Food security is key for facing the risk of a global crisis, he observed. Therefore, the government is seeking to promote food security through various strategies and policies.
In terms of financing, the government has provided People's Business Credit (KUR), which can be accessed by agricultural sector players at an interest rate of only three percent until the end of 2022, he informed.
The government has also increased the credit's ceiling to Rp373.17 trillion (US$23.8 billion).
"Regional governments can use it either for the procurement of agricultural machinery and equipment or the corporatization of the agricultural sector," Moeldoko said.
Moreover, the government is also diversifying regional foods by increasing the production of corn, sorghum, sago, and cassava through land expansion and the opening of new areas, he noted.
"Currently, anything is done to maintain food security so that there is an even distribution of people's welfare," he said.
Meanwhile, Bima Mayor Muhammad Lutfi said that an inadequate irrigation system is still impeding efforts to increase agricultural production. Thus, corn growers are still relying on rainwater.
"We need a dam that can be used as technical irrigation to increase agricultural production, especially of corn," he said.
Currently, the city government is planning to construct two dams, he informed. The dams are expected to prevent floods during the rainy season like those experienced in 2016.
In 2016, high rainfall caused the river water to overflow and flood the entire city, causing Rp2 trillion (US$127 million) in losses.
“In addition to anticipating flooding, this dam is also very important as a source of raw water. Thus, we need support from the Presidential Staff Office," he added.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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