"Earlier in the morning, Mr President summoned us. He asked for updates on crop production, particularly rice and corn. We have briefed him on the developments," Sulaiman told journalists at the palace.
He remarked that the Agriculture Ministry had taken various measures for stepping up rice and corn production, including by irrigating crop fields on Java Island and other regions using water pumps that deliver water from nearby rivers.
The minister remarked that his office had been striving to make the most of Indonesia's swampland potentials in a bid to boost the production rate of rice.
He further remarked that the government had provided incentives in the form of free seeds and additional fertilizers to farmers willing to expand their planting coverage.
Related news: Rice production safe as planting expedited: Agriculture Minister
According to Sulaiman, Indonesian farmers have planted rice on millions of hectares of land since December 2023 to meet the nation's monthly needs for the food commodities.
"In order to meet the monthly needs, we should at least plant rice on one million hectares of land per month," he stated.
Meanwhile, President Director of state-owned fertilizer producer PT Pupuk Indonesia Rahmad Pribadi informed that his side had prepared two million tons of national fertilizer stocks out of which 1.1 million tons had been received by districts.
He then stated that President Widodo had approved the plan to increase the volume of subsidized fertilizers, from 4.7 million tons to 7.5 million tons.
Pribadi expressed hope that the smooth distribution of fertilizers would help Indonesia bolster its production rate of rice.
Related news: Govt prepares fertilizer subsidy, assistance to boost rice production
Translator: Rangga P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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