In a written statement received on Friday, he noted that sorghum can support stunting reduction in NTT, as it contains nutrients, such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, that support the fulfillment of children’s nutritional needs.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also instructed to implement a food diversification program through ways, such as land and downstream development of sorghum in NTT.
He emphasized the need to boost sorghum production as an alternative to several foods from wheat to rice.
He explained that planting sorghum on barren and marginal land could also provide new economic opportunities for local farmers and communities.
“All (parts) of sorghum are beneficial and have high economic value. To this end, the government readied the offtakers, so that farmers can be more enthusiastic in planting sorghum and can live a prosperous life,” he remarked.
He further noted that the government has formulated a road map for the development of sorghum in NTT by readying 15 thousand hectares of land for the first phase, 50 thousand hectares for the second phase, and 200 thousand hectares for the third phase.
"Apart from the land, the government is also currently preparing a national sorghum nursery or seeds in Waingapu. Therefore, 45 percent of the sorghum harvest is used for seeds and replanting," he explained.
In 2023, he targeted land area for sorghum planting to reach a minimum of 400 hectares in Waingapu, East Sumba District, NTT.
Earlier, on Wednesday (April 12), Moeldoko and East Sumba District Head Khristofel Praing conducted a harvest of sorghum on 50 hectares of land managed by PT Sorgum Moelti Agriculture (SMA) in Waingapu.
The harvest was forecast to produce 100 tons of dried seeds and 250 tons of undried seeds that result from the use of Super 1 variety of sorghum seeds.
Project Manager of PT SMA, Hermanto, explained that due to a pest attack, only 50 hectares out of the 100 hectares of land planted with sorghum could be maximally harvested.
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Translator: Indra Arief, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
