"The development of one million hectares of rice fields in Merauke is a national strategic program, and not a private project because everything is funded and carried out on behalf of the state," the task force's commander, Major General Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, emphasized during a visit to Wogikel and Wanam villages in Merauke.
"The national strategic program is being carried out in Merauke because the government sees that Merauke has extraordinary potential for agricultural resources. The area has vast, flat, and fertile land, abundant sources of water, as well as suitable weather for rice cultivation throughout the year," he observed.
According to him, the program in Merauke will have a positive impact on community welfare, which will be supported by the construction of infrastructure as well as public facilities from the village to the district level.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman also visited Wanam district, Merauke, at the end of August 2024.
During the visit, he said that Merauke is projected to become the main contributor to the national rice barn in the next two years.
"We are optimistic that in the next two years, food self-sufficiency can be achieved from here," he added.
For the one million-hectare rice project in Merauke, the government has built supporting infrastructure, including a 135.5-kilometer road from Ilwayab to Ngguti.
During his visit, Sulaiman reviewed the water channels along the road and directed that their width and depth be increased to optimize irrigation.
"We design this as long storage to irrigate the one million hectares of rice fields that we are printing," he said.
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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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