"Specifically today, our attention is on the rice issue. Rice (prices), that (were) previously high and uncontrolled, started to be under control in the beginning of the year, in line with improvement in rice production," he noted, according to a statement issued by his ministry here on Monday.
He made the statement during a coordination meeting on regional inflation control in Jakarta the same day.
According to him, the focus of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and President-elect Prabowo Subianto is on increasing rice production so that it can meet domestic needs.
Karnavian also outlined four steps to increase rice production. The first step is to not change the use of existing rice fields for other purposes, such as commercial or residential purposes.
The second step is the creation of new rice fields, followed by the implementation of the water pumping program to supply water to regions experiencing drought.
Furthermore, the fourth step is improving the quality of plants, including the quality of soil by using subsidized fertilizers.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, who was also present at the meeting, listed the reasons behind the decline in Indonesia's rice production, including drought due to El Nino, old agricultural equipment and machinery, and a decline in superior seedlings.
Some of the solutions offered included pumping for rice fields, optimizing swamp land, and creating new rice fields.
Sulaiman stressed that regional heads, such as governors, district heads, and mayors, as well as the heads of Agricultural Offices, are the spearheads of water pump procurement in the field.
"We are focusing on two things, the quick solution for Indonesia is pumping and land optimization," he said.
The minister added that pumping and land optimization could help boost rice production.
President Widodo has also emphasized the need to immediately carry out the pumping program to face the dry season and El Nino impact.
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Translator: Narda Margaretha, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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